Modular Mobility Base for a Modular Autonomous Logistics Vehicle Transport Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application hereby claims the benefit of priority to relatedProvisional Patent Application No. 62/642,732 filed on Mar. 14, 2018 andentitled “Enhanced Apparatus, Assemblies, and Systems Involving aModular Autonomous Logistics Vehicle Transport and Methods of Operatingthe Same.”

The present application is also related in subject matter to thefollowing concurrently filed non-provisional patent applications whereeach also claims the benefit of priority to the same above-referencedprovisional patent application: (1) Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 16/351,576 entitled “A Modular Multiple Mobility Base AssemblyApparatus for Transporting an Item Being Shipped”; (2) Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 16/351,584 entitled “A Modular AuxiliaryPower Module for a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus that Transports anItem Being Shipped”; (3) Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.16/351,590 entitled “A Modular Cargo Storage Apparatus for use on a BasePlatform of a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus that Transports an ItemBeing Shipped”; (4) Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.16/351,634 entitled “A Detachable Modular Mobile Autonomy Control Modulefor a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus that Transports an Item BeingShipped”; (5) Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/351,642entitled “A Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus that Transports an ItemBeing Shipped”; (6) Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.16/351,683 entitled “Methods of Performing a Dispatched LogisticsOperation Related to an Item Being Shipped and Using a ModularAutonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a Dispatch Server”; (7)Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/351,573 entitled “Methodsof Performing an Inventory Management Related Dispatched LogisticsOperation for an Inventory Item and Using a Modular Autonomous BotApparatus Assembly and a Dispatch Server”; (8) Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/351,579 entitled “Methods of Performing aDispatched Store-to-Consumer Logistics Operation Related to an OrderedItem and Using a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and aDispatch Server”; (9) Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.16/351,587 entitled “Methods of Performing a DispatchedConsumer-to-Store Logistics Operation Related to an Item Being ReplacedUsing a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a DispatchServer”; (10) Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/351,598entitled “Methods of Performing a Dispatched Medical Logistics OperationRelated to a Diagnosis Kit for Treating a Patient and Using a ModularAutonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a Dispatch Server”; (11)Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/351,604 entitled“Apparatus and Systems of a Modular Autonomous Cart Apparatus Assemblyfor Transporting an Item Being Shipped”; (12) Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/351,619 entitled “Apparatus, Systems, andMethods for Performing a Dispatched Logistics Operation for aDeliverable Item from a Hold-at-Location Logistics Facility Using aModular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly, a Dispatch Server and anEnhanced Remotely Actuated Logistics Receptacle Apparatus”; and (13)Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/351,681 entitled “Methodsand Systems for Navigating to a Designated Shipping Location as Part ofa Multi-Leg Logistics Operations using a Wireless Node Network andMultiple Node-Enabled Autonomous Transport Vehicles in the Networld”.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to systems, apparatus,assemblies, and methods in the field of logistics and, moreparticularly, to various aspects of enhanced systems, apparatus,assemblies, and methods related to deployment and use of a highlyautonomous transport system that may include and leverage uses ofelements of a multi-purpose type of modular autonomous logistics vehicletransport (MALVT) or node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle (AV), anassembly of such a multi-purpose type of modular autonomous logisticsvehicle transport (MALVT) or node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle(AV), and systems that involve a multi-purpose type of modularautonomous logistics vehicle transport (MALVT) or node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle (AV).

BACKGROUND

In the technical field of logistics involving delivery and pickup ofitems and objects for transport between locations, existing systems havedeployed delivery vans and courier personnel that manage and implementdispatched logistics operations to deliver and pickup of such items andobjects from businesses and residential locations. However, deployingmanually controlled logistics delivery vehicles and systems may incur

In general, autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles that can move andmaneuver from an origin location to a different location exist, but arenot without problems in the field of logistics. For example, commonautonomous or semi-autonomous logistics systems are less adaptive thanneeded. A particular autonomous logistics delivery vehicle may lackcompatibility for specifically tasked logistics operations or theability to efficiently handle a wide variety of different sizeditems/objects. Furthermore, known autonomous logistics deliverysolutions may incur undesired waste involved with dispatching oversizeddelivery vehicles for a given logistics operation. The lack ofinteroperability with a location's facilities and pathway obstacles arealso problems that face common logistics delivery vehicles that areautonomously controlled.

To address these requirements and present further enhanced and improveddevices, assemblies, systems, and methods for autonomous delivery orpickup of items/objects being shipped, there remains a need for improvedsystems that may provide more extensive, robust, adaptive, andinteractive autonomous logistics vehicles that address such problemswith a modular autonomous logistics bot apparatus as individual modularcomponents of an assembly, as a particular assembly of such components,and systems of modular autonomous logistics vehicles that do so in acost effective, dynamic, innovative solution that addresses suchproblems in practical applications that leverage such modular componentsand modular autonomous logistics vehicles using such components.

SUMMARY

In the following description, certain aspects and embodiments willbecome evident. It should be understood that the aspects andembodiments, in their broadest sense, could be practiced without havingone or more features of these aspects and embodiments. It should beunderstood that these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary.

In the following description, certain aspects and embodiments willbecome evident. It should be understood that the aspects andembodiments, in their broadest sense, could be practiced without havingone or more features of these aspects and embodiments. It should beunderstood that these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a modular mobility baseapparatus that is part of a modular autonomous bot apparatus thattransports an item or object being shipped or otherwise picked up ordelivered. The modular mobility base has a mobile base platform, amodular component alignment interface, a mobility controller, propulsionand steering systems responsive to the mobility controller, and sensorsthat generate and provide feedback sensor data to the mobilitycontroller about a condition of the modular mobility base. The modularcomponent alignment interface is disposed on the mobile base platform,and provides at least one channel (raised or recessed) into whichanother modular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus can beplaced and secured on the mobile base platform. The mobility controlleris disposed as part of the mobile base platform, and is programmed togenerate a propulsion control signal for controlling speed of themodular mobility base and a steering control signal for controllingnavigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system of themodular mobility base is connected to the mobile base platform, andresponsive to the propulsion control signal from the mobility controllerto cause changes to the speed of the modular mobility base. The steeringsystem is also connected to the mobile base platform and coupled to thepropulsion system (such as the wheels that are driven as part of thepropulsion system for the modular mobility base). The steering system isresponsive to the steering control signal from the mobility controllerto cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base.The sensors are each coupled to the mobility controller and are disposedon the mobile base platform. As such, the sensors autonomously generateand provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about acondition of the modular mobility base, such as detecting a tiltcharacteristic of the mobile base platform, detecting an environmentalcharacteristic next to the mobile base platform, and detecting aproximity characteristic about what is next to the mobile base platform.

A further aspect of the disclosure has the modular mobility baseincluding a wireless transceiver for communications with other modularcomponents of the modular autonomous bot apparatus or an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus(e.g., a wireless node that may provide remote control commands to themobility controller).

A further aspect of the disclosure may have the mobile base supportincluding a support base having the modular alignment interface and thesensors, where the support base has a top support surface on which themodular alignment interface is disposed and peripheral edges on whichthe sensors are disposed. The modular mobile base may further have a setof wheels, whether considered part of the propulsion system (along withone or more motors) or as additional elements coupled to the supportbase. As such, some (or all) wheels may be coupled to the propulsionsystem and some (or all) wheels may be further coupled to the steeringsystem.

A further aspect may have the mobile base platform having a selectivelyadjustable suspension system that couples wheels to the support base,and being activated or actuated (via actuators) to change an orientedconfiguration of the support base relative to the set of wheels from afirst orientation state to a second orientation state in response to asupport base orientation control signal from the mobility controller.This allows for the oriented configuration to change to a desired liftedattitude orientation, tilted attitude orientation, or a combinationlifted/tilted attitude orientation.

Another aspect has the modular component alignment interface beingimplemented with a registration interface disposed on the top supportsurface of the mobile base platform (as a raised or recessed channelinto which the another modular component of the modular autonomous botapparatus can be placed and secured on the mobile base platform) and acoupling receiver disposed on the top support surface of the mobile baseplatform. The coupling receiver provides a secure receiving latchelement for a mated coupling latch element on another modular componentof the modular autonomous bot apparatus, and where the secure receivinglatch element can temporarily attach to the mated coupling latch elementon the other modular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.The modular component alignment interface may also include a modularcomponent electronics interface disposed on the top support surface ofthe mobile base platform. Such a modular component electronics interfaceis coupled to the mobility controller as a power and data matedinterface or conduit to at least another modular component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus.

Each of these aspects respectively effect improvements to the technologyof autonomous logistics vehicles. Additional advantages of this andother aspects of the disclosed embodiments and examples will be setforth in part in the description which follows, and in part will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments according toone or more principles of the invention and together with thedescription, serve to explain one or more principles of the invention.In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless node network as known inthe art;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of an exemplary wireless node networkas known in the art;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of an exemplary ID node device asknown in the art;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed diagram of an exemplary master node device asknown in the art;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed diagram of an exemplary server as known in theart;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure or format of an exemplaryadvertisement data packet as known in the art;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating sample content for an exemplaryadvertisement data packet as known in the art;

FIG. 8 is a state diagram illustrating exemplary states and transitionsbetween the states as part of operations by an exemplary node as knownin the art;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a wireless nodenetwork during an exemplary master-to-ID node association as known inthe art;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a wirelessnode network during an exemplary ID-to-ID node association as known inthe art;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a wirelessnode network during an exemplary ID-to-master node query as known in theart;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a wirelessnode network during an exemplary alert advertising mode as known in theart;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location determinationusing master node advertise as known in the art;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location determinationusing ID node advertise as known in the art;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location determinationthrough triangulation as known in the art;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location determinationthrough chaining triangulation as known in the art;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly of different exemplarymodular autonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT botapparatus) and components thereof in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 18A is a diagram of an exemplary modular mobility base (MB) unitcomponent of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18B is an additional diagram of the exemplary modular mobility baseunit component of FIG. 18A shown in a tilted configuration in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18C is a block diagram showing further details of an exemplarymodular mobility base unit component in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly of multiple modularmobility base unit components paired with an exemplary base adapterplate module (BAPM) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20A is a diagram of an exemplary modular mobility base (MB) unitcomponent paired with an exemplary modular auxiliary power module (APM)in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20B is a block diagram showing further details of an exemplarymodular auxiliary power module in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 20C is a diagram of an exemplary modular auxiliary power modulehaving different actuated belt surfaces as a type of articulated objectmanipulation system that may be deployed on the exemplary modularauxiliary power module in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 20D is a diagram of an exemplary modular auxiliary power modulehaving different actuated sliding arm as a type of articulated objectmanipulation system that may be deployed on the exemplary modularauxiliary power module in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 20E is a diagram of an exemplary modular auxiliary power modulehaving different actuated grabbing arm as a type of articulated objectmanipulation system that may be deployed on the exemplary modularauxiliary power module in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly of an exemplary mobilitybase (MB) unit component paired with an exemplary modular auxiliarypower module (APM) and an exemplary modular cargo storage system (CSS)in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22A is a diagram of an alternative view of the exemplary assemblyof FIG. 21 having an exemplary modular mobility base (MB) unit componentpaired with an exemplary modular auxiliary power module (APM) and anexemplary modular cargo storage system (CSS) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22B is a block diagram showing further details of an exemplarymodular cargo storage system component in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a folded configuration for an exemplarymodular cargo storage system (CSS) in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a folded configuration for multipleexemplary modular cargo storage system components in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing different exemplary form factors fordifferent exemplary modular cargo storage system components inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of an exemplarymodular cargo storage system (CSS) having an exemplary actuated cargodoor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 27A-27B are diagrams of an embodiment of an exemplary modularcargo storage system (CSS) having an exemplary actuated sliding armdisposed on one of the walls of the CSS in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 27C is a diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary modular cargostorage system (CSS) having an exemplary actuated grabbing arm disposedon one of the walls of the CSS in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 28 is a front view of an exemplary modular mobile autonomy module(MAM) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a rear view of the exemplary modular mobile autonomy module(MAM) of FIG. 28 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 30A-30B are diagrams of different bottom views of the exemplarymodular mobile autonomy module (MAM) of FIG. 28 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing further details of an exemplarymodular mobile autonomy module (MAM) in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 32 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly of an exemplary modularmobility base (MB) unit component shown in conjunction with an exemplarymodular auxiliary power module (APM), an exemplary modular storagesystem (CSS), and an exemplary modular mobile autonomy module (MAM) inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33 is a diagram of an exemplary system having exemplary modularmobile autonomy module (MAM) within an exemplary modular autonomous botapparatus assembly where the MAM is in communication with an exemplaryserver and mobile external wireless nodes in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34 is a diagram of two exemplary modular components during assemblyof an exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly whereauthentication of the modular components is performed during assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary smart latching andinterface configuration used with another embodiment of an exemplarycargo storage system (CSS) in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary fastening configurationused with an exemplary cargo storage unit (CSS) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 37 is a diagram of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) in a configurationhaving a cargo door extended and in a forward tilted orientation inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 38 is a diagram of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) in a configurationhaving a cargo door extended and in a “standup” mode orientation inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 39 is a front view diagram of an exemplary modular autonomouslogistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) in aconfiguration having a cargo door extended and in a lifted orientationin accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 40 is a rear view diagram of an exemplary modular autonomouslogistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) in aconfiguration having a cargo door extended and in a lifted orientationin accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 41 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for on-demand buildingof a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly that transports an itembeing shipped in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 42 is a diagram of an exemplary system involved in assembling anmodular autonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT botapparatus) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 43A-43F are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) in various stages ofan exemplary dispatched logistics operation in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 44 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for performing adispatched logistics operation involving delivery of an item beingshipped using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT botapparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 45 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of an exemplary methodfor performing a dispatched logistics operation involving pickup of anitem being shipped using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 46 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of an exemplary methodfor performing a dispatched logistics operation involving pickup,holding at an object holding location, and delivery of an item beingshipped using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT botapparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 47A-47B are diagrams of an exemplary system involving an exemplarymodular autonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT botapparatus) the performs an inventory management related dispatchedlogistics operation related to an inventory item at an inventory hublocation and one of multiple remote business locations in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 48A-48D are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) interfacing andinteracting with an exemplary node-enabled shelving system topickup/drop-off an inventory item in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 49 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming an inventory management related dispatched logisticsoperation involving an inventory item using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch serverin accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 50A-50B are parts of a flow diagram of an alternative embodimentof an exemplary method for performing an inventory management relateddispatched logistics operation involving an inventory item using amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly)and an inventory management server in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 51 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming a dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation related toan ordered item and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 52A-52F are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) interfacing andinteracting with an exemplary node-enabled pick and place machine in awarehousing location in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 53 is a flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of an exemplarymethod for performing a dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operationrelated to an ordered item and using a modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 54 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming a dispatched consumer-to-store logistics operation related toan item being replaced and using a modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 55 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming a dispatched swap logistics operation related to an itembeing replaced that is swapped for a replacement item and using amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly)and a dispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 56A-56B are parts of a flow diagram of an embodiment of anexemplary method for performing an medical related dispatched logisticsoperation involving a diagnosis kit for treating a patient and using amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly)and an dispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 57A is a diagram of an exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 57B is a more detailed diagram of the exemplary modular autonomouscart apparatus assembly from FIG. 57A in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 58 is a diagram of the exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly that uses a mobility base sub-assembly having an extended baseadapter plate and two mobility base units in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 59A-59C are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly as deployed and used in different operating modeswith an exemplary wireless mobile courier node in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 60-61 are diagrams of an exemplary system of multiple modularautonomous cart apparatus assemblies for transporting different items inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 62 is a diagram of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) at anexemplary hold-at-location logistics facility in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 63 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming a dispatched logistics operation for a deliverable item froma hold-at-location logistics facility having a secured storage and usinga modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatusassembly) and a dispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 64A-64H are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) interfacingand interacting with an exemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptaclethat may be located at a hold-at-location logistics facility inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 65A-65B are a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary methodfor performing a dispatched logistics operation for a deliverable itemmaintained within a remotely-actuated logistics receptacle and using amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly)and a dispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 66 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming a dispatched hold-at-location logistics operation for adeliverable item from an origin location using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly operating as a temporary hold-at-location logisticsreceptacle and a dispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 67 is a diagram of multiple exemplary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 68A-68E are diagrams of an exemplary system using multipleexemplary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles when navigatingbetween an exemplary courier transport vehicle and a designated shippinglocation with an item being shipped as part of a multi-leg autonomouslogistics operation for the item being shipped in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 69A-69B are flow diagrams of an embodiment of an exemplary methodfor navigating to a designated shipping location as part of a multi-leglogistics operation using multiple nodes in a wireless node network, aserver in the network, and multiple node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles in the network in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 70 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method fornavigating to a designated shipping location as part of a multi-leglogistics operation using multiple nodes in a wireless node network, aserver in the network, a first node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclein the network, and a selected one of a group of other node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 71 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of another exemplary methodfor navigating to a designated shipping location as part of a multi-leglogistics operation using multiple nodes in a wireless node network, aserver in the network, and multiple node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles in the network where one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles operates as master to control at least docking andtransferring operations as part of the multi-leg logistics operation inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and thedescription to refer to the same or like parts. However, those skilledin the art will appreciate that different embodiments may implement aparticular part in different ways according to the needs of the intendeddeployment and operating environment for the respective embodiments.

Reference will also be made throughout this description to wirelessnode-based network devices (e.g., ID nodes, master nodes, containernodes, and servers that operate in a wireless node network), exemplarytechniques that use such node-based devices, and interactions with suchdevices in the logistics delivery field as explained in more detailwithin U.S. application Ser. No. 14/445,523 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,989,053), U.S. application Ser. No. 14/979,685 (published as U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2016/01232481), and U.S.application Ser. No. 15/433,023 (published as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. US 2017/0279892), which are each hereby incorporated byreference. The information disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No.14/445,523 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,989,053), U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/979,685 (published as U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. US 2016/01232481), and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/433,023(published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2017/0279892)is collectively referred to as TRON Network Reference Information ormore generally referenced as TRON technology within the presentdescription. In particular, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the description of such node-based devices, how they interact andcommunicate, how they associate with other nodes to establish securecommunications and information sharing, and how they use various nodelocating techniques to determine the location of a particular node inthe network provides a foundational teaching of building block elementsthat may be used as control elements that may interact with each otherin embodiments of exemplary modular autonomous logistics transportvehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) and components thereof asdescribed in more detail below.

In general, the following description begins with a broad overview ofthe TRON technology referenced above that may be used in implementationsof different embodiments involving modular autonomous logistics bots,assemblies, components, vehicles, and systems. Embodiments of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus are presented and explained as respectivemodular components of such an apparatus and as a modular assembly ofcompatible components that may be assembled to form an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus for use in a logistics operation (e.g., delivery of anitem/object, pickup of an item/object). Further embodiments aredescribed about different practical use applications that involve theuse of one or more components and/or one or more exemplary MALVT botapparatus assemblies deployed in varying types of logistics operations.Finally, embodiments are presented that involve multiple autonomouslogistics vehicle transports that may be deployed for different legs ofa single multi-leg logistics operation.

Overview of TRON Wireless Node Network Technology

In more detail, the following description along with FIGS. 1-16 providea background overview of a known type of wireless node network with oneor more lower level devices or nodes (e.g., an ID node) that rely onshorter-range communication with a higher level device or node (e.g., amaster node), which is operative to communicate with a server over adifferent communication interface while the lower level node is unableto communicate directly with the server. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that such a hierarchy of different functional communicatingnetwork components (generally referred to as network devices) may becharacterized as a network of nodes. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that in some embodiments, the wireless node network mayinclude the server as well as different wireless nodes despite the factthat the server may not be a dedicated wireless component. In otherembodiments, the network may include similar types of wireless nodes ordifferent types of wireless nodes.

Those skilled in the art will understand through the following detaileddescription that the nodes may be associated with items (e.g., anobject, a package, a person, a piece of equipment) and may be used toidentify and locate the items while being dynamically programmed duringoperation of the network and while the items move along an anticipatedpath (e.g., a transit path from an origin point to a destination point).Those skilled in the art will further understand through the followingdetailed description that these known type of nodes may be deployed ascontrol systems, control electronics, controllers, processors, controlmodules, or other control elements that may wirelessly communicate withother nodes (e.g., a controller in a modular mobility base component andan autonomous control system in a modular mobile autonomous controlmodule), receive input from sensors, generate output messaging anddisplay information as well as generate control signals that manage andcontrol an autonomous delivery vehicle.

Again, FIGS. 1-16 provide background information on such known types ofwireless nodes that may be programmed to interact to detect other nodes,associate with other nodes, receive and respond to sensor data, generatecontrol signals, manage other nodes, and locate other nodes in ahierarchical manner. FIG. 1 illustrates a basic diagram of an exemplarywireless node network. The exemplary network shown in FIG. 1 comprises aserver 100 connected to a network 1710, which is also operativelyconnected to different network components, such as a master node 1720 aand indirectly to an ID node 120 a through master node 1720 a. Masternode 1720 a is typically connected to an ID node 120 a via short-rangewireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth® formatted communications).Master node 1720 a is typically connected to server 100 through network1710 via longer-range wireless communication (e.g., cellular) and/ormedium range wireless communication (e.g., wireless local area datanetworks or Wi-Fi). ID node 120 a is typically a low cost device thatmay be easily placed into a package, be integrated as part of packaging,or otherwise associated with an item to be tracked and located, such aspackage 130, a person, or object (e.g., vehicle, etc.). Generally, an IDnode is capable of communicating directly with a master node butincapable of communicating directly with the server, while a master nodeis capable of communicating directly with the server and separately anddirectly communicating with other nodes (such as an ID node or anothermaster node). The ability to deploy a hierarchy of nodes within anexemplary wireless node network to distribute tasks and functions at thedifferent levels in an efficient and economical manner helps tofacilitate a wide variety of adaptive locating, tracking, managing, andreporting applications using such a network of nodes as discussed inmore detail below.

In general, the lower cost, lower complexity ID node 120 a is managed bythe higher complexity master node 1720 a and server 100 as part ofkeeping track of the location of ID node 120 a (and the associateditem), thereby providing intelligent, robust, and broad visibility aboutthe location and status of ID node 120 a. In a typical deploymentexample, ID node 120 a is first associated with an item (e.g., package130, a person, or object). As ID node 120 a moves with the item, the IDnode 120 a becomes associated with the master node 1720 a, and theserver 100 is updated with such information. Further movement of the IDnode 120 a and item may cause the ID node 120 a to disassociate withmaster node 1720 a and be handed off to become associated another masternode (not shown), after which the server 100 is again updated. As such,the server 100 generally operates to coordinate and manage informationrelated to the ID node 120 a as the item physically moves from onelocation to another. Further details of the architecture andfunctionality of an exemplary ID node and master node as described belowin more detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, while exemplary server 100is described below in more detail with respect to FIG. 5.

While server 100 is shown connecting through network 1710, those skilledin the art will appreciate that server 100 may have a more direct ordedicated connections to other components illustrated in FIG. 1, such asmaster node 1720 a, depending upon implementation details and desiredcommunication paths. Furthermore, those skilled in the art willappreciate that an exemplary server may contain a collection ofinformation in a database (not shown in FIG. 1), while multipledatabases maintained on multiple server platforms or network storageservers may be used in other embodiments to maintain such a collectionof information. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat a database may be implemented with cloud technology thatessentially provides networked storage of collections of informationthat may be directly accessible to devices, such as master node 1720 a.

Network 1710 may be a general data communication network involving avariety of communication networks or paths. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that such exemplary networks or paths may be implementedwith hard wired structures (e.g., LAN, WAN, telecommunication lines,telecommunication support structures and telecommunication processingequipment, etc.), wireless structures (e.g., antennas, receivers,modems, routers, repeaters, etc.) and/or a combination of both dependingupon the desired implementation of a network that interconnects server100 and other components shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Master node 1720 a and ID node 120 a are types of nodes. A node isgenerally an apparatus or device used to perform one or more tasks aspart of a network of components. An embodiment of a node may have aunique identifier, such as a Media Access Control (MAC) address or anaddress assigned to a hardware radio like an Internet Protocol 6 (IPv6)identifier. In some embodiments, the node's unique identifier may becorrelated to a shipment identifier (e.g., a shipment tracking number inone example), or may itself be a shipment's tracking reference.

An ID node, such as ID node 120 a, is generally a low cost activewireless device. In one embodiment, an exemplary ID node is atransceiver-based processing or logic unit having a short-range radiowith variable RF characteristics (e.g., programmable RF output powerrange, programmable receiver sensitivity), memory accessible by theprocessing unit, a timer operatively coupled to the processing unit, anda power source (e.g., a battery) that provides power for the circuitryof the ID node. For example, the physical implementation of an exemplaryID node may be small, and, thus, amenable to integration into a package,label, container, or other type of object. In some implementations of anID node, the node is rechargeable while other implementations do notpermit recharging the power source for the ID node. In otherimplementations, the ID node is environmentally self-contained or sealedso as to enable robust and reliable operations in a variety ofenvironmentally harsh conditions.

A master node, such as master node 1720 a, generally serves as anintelligent bridge between the ID node 120 a and the server 100.Accordingly, a master node is generally more sophisticated than an IDnode. In one example, an exemplary master node is a device having aprocessing or logic unit, a short-range radio (with may have variable RFcharacteristics) used for communicating with other nodes (ID nodes andother master nodes), a medium and/or long-range radio for communicationwith the server 100, memory accessible by the processing unit, a timeroperatively coupled to the processing unit, and a power source (e.g., abattery or a wired power supply connection) that provides power for thecircuitry of the master node. The exemplary master node, such as masternode 1720 a, may be positioned in a known fixed location or,alternatively, be a mobile unit having dedicated location positioningcircuitry (e.g., GPS circuitry) to allow the master node to determineits location by itself.

While the example illustrated in FIG. 1 shows only a single master nodeand a single ID node, those skilled in the art will appreciate that awireless network may include a wide array of similar or different masternodes that each communicate with the server 100 and/or other masternodes, and a wide variety of similar or different ID nodes. Thus, theexemplary network shown in FIG. 1 is a basic example, while theexemplary network shown in FIG. 2 is a more detailed exemplary wirelessnode network.

Referring now to FIG. 2, another exemplary wireless node network isshown including server 100 and network 1710. Here, master nodes 1720 a,1720 b, 1720 c are deployed and connected to network 1710 (and by virtueof those respective connections, to server 100) as well as to eachother. ID nodes 120 a, 120 b, 120 e are shown as connectable oroperative to communicate via different paths to various master nodes.However, ID nodes 120 c and 120 d are shown in FIG. 2 connected to IDnode 120 b but not to any of the master nodes. This may be the case if,for example, ID nodes 120 b, 120 c, 120 d are associated with differentitems (e.g., packages) within a larger container 210 (or groupedtogether on a pallet). In such an example, only ID node 120 b may remainwithin the wireless communication range of any master node. This may,for example, be because of the positions of the different ID nodeswithin the container relative to the closest master node, adverse RFshielding caused by the container, adverse RF shielding caused bypackaging of the item, or adverse RF shielding caused by other proximatematerial that interferes with radio transmissions (e.g., severalpackages of metal items between the ID node and any master node outsidethe container). Thus, in the illustrated configuration of the exemplarynetwork shown in FIG. 2, ID nodes 120 c and 120 d may be out of rangefrom the master nodes, yet still have an operative communication path toa master node through ID node 120 b.

Indeed, in one example, prior to placement within container 210, ID node120 b may actually be a master node but the changed RF environment whenplacing it in container 210 may interfere with the master node's abilityto locate itself via location signals (e.g., GPS signals) and cause themaster node to temporarily operate as an ID node while still providingcommunications and data sharing with other ID nodes in container 210.

User access devices 200, 205 are also illustrated in FIG. 2 as beingable to connect to network 1710, master nodes, and ID nodes. Generally,user access devices 200 and 205 are types of external wireless nodesthat allow a user to interact with one or more components of a wirelessnode network. In various examples, user access devices 200, 205, may beimplemented using a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet (suchas an Apple iPad® touchscreen tablet), a personal area network device(such as a Bluetooth® device), a smartphone (such as an Apple iPhone®),a smart wearable device (such as a Samsung Galaxy Gear™ smartwatchdevice, or a Google Glass™ wearable smart optics) or other such devicescapable of communicating over network 1710 with server 100, over a wiredor wireless communication path to master node and ID nodes.

As shown in FIG. 2, user access devices 200, 205 are coupled and incommunication with network 1710, but each of them may also be incommunication with each other or other network components in a moredirect manner (e.g., via near field communication (NFC), over aBluetooth® wireless connection, over a Wi-Fi network, dedicated wiredconnection, or other communication path).

In one example, a user access device, such as device 200 or 205, mayfacilitate associating an ID node (such as ID node 120 a) with thetracking number of a package at the start of a shipment process,coordinating with the server 100 to check on the status and/or locationof the package and associated ID node during transit, and possiblyretrieving data from a master node or ID node related to the shippedpackage. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a useraccess device, such as devices 200, 205, are essentially interactivecommunication platforms by which a user may initiate shipment of anitem, track an item, determine the status and location of an item,retrieve information about an item, as well as initiate dispatch of alogistics operation or interact with other nodes as part of a dispatchedoperation.

An example user access device, such as device 200 or 205, may includesufficient hardware and code (e.g., an app or other program code sectionor sections) to operate as a master node or an ID node in variousembodiments as discussed in more detail below. For example, device 200may be implemented as a mobile smartphone and functionally may operateas an exemplary ID node that broadcasts advertising packet messages toother ID nodes or master nodes for association and sharing data withsuch nodes. In another example, device 200 is implemented as a mobilesmartphone and may operate as an exemplary master node that communicatesand associates with ID nodes and other master nodes, as describedherein, and communicates with the server 100. Thus, those skilled in theart will appreciate an exemplary ID node in FIG. 3 and an exemplarymaster node in FIG. 4, and their respective parts, code and programmodules, may be implemented with an appropriately programmed user accessdevice, such as device 200 or 205. Thus, the following description of anexemplary ID node in FIG. 3 and an exemplary master node in FIG. 4 willbe applicable to a user access device operating as an ID node or amaster node, respectively.

ID Node

FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of an exemplary ID node device. Aspreviously described, one example of an ID node includes atransceiver-based processing or logic unit having a short-range radiowith variable RF characteristics (e.g., programmable RF output powerrange, programmable receiver sensitivity), memory accessible by theprocessing unit, a timer operatively coupled to the processing unit, anda power source (e.g., a battery) that provides power for the circuitryof the ID node. Referring now to the more detailed embodiment of FIG. 3,exemplary ID node 120 a is shown to comprise a processing or logic unit300 coupled to a variable power short-range communication interface 375,memory storage 315, volatile memory 320, timer 370, and battery 355.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that processing unit 300 islogic, such as a low power consumption microcontroller, that generallyperforms computations on data and executes operational and applicationprogram code and other program modules or sections thereof within the IDnode 120 a. As such, exemplary processing unit 300 operates as atransceiver-based processing core of ID node 120 a.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that exemplary ID node 120a is a hardware-based component that may be implemented with a singleprocessor or logic unit, such as unit 300. In one embodiment, processingunit 300 may be implemented with an Intel® 8051 CPU Core and associatedperipheral circuitry as dictated by the needs of the particularapplication. Less complex microcontrollers or discrete circuitry may beused to implement processing unit 300 as well as more complex andsophisticated microprocessors. Additionally, exemplary processing unit300 may be integrated into a single chip transceiver used as a core ofID node 120 a.

The variable power short-range communication interface 375 of ID node120 a is generally a programmable radio and an omni-directional antennacoupled to the processing unit 300. In other embodiments, interface 375may use an antenna with a different antenna profile when directionalitymay be desired. Examples of variable power short-range communicationinterface 375 may include other interfacing hardware (not shown) foroperatively coupling the device to a specific short-range communicationpath (e.g., a Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) connection path communicatingat 2.4 GHz).

In one example, various RF characteristics of the radio's transceiver,such as the RF output power and/or the RF receiver sensitivity may bedynamically and programmatically varied under control of processing unit300. In other examples, further RF characteristics of the radio'stransceiver may be programmatically varied, such as frequency, dutycycle, timing, modulation schemes, spread spectrum frequency hoppingaspects, etc., as needed to flexibly adjust the RF output signaldepending upon a desired implementation and anticipated use of ID node120 a. As will be explained in more detail below, some embodiments mayuse Broadcast Profile having parameters that may be programmaticallyaltered or adjusted. In other words, embodiments of ID node 120 a (orany other ID node) may have programmatically adjustable RFcharacteristics (such as an adjustable RF output signal power, anadjustable RF receiver sensitivity, the ability to switch to a differentfrequency or frequency band, etc.).

The battery 355 for ID node 120 a is a type of power source thatgenerally powers the circuitry implementing ID node 120 a. In oneembodiment, battery 355 may be a rechargeable power source. In otherembodiments, battery 355 may be a non-rechargeable power source intendedto be disposed of after use. In some examples of an ID node, the powersource may involve alternative energy generation, such as a solar cell.

The timer 370 for ID node 120 a generally provides one or more timingcircuits used in, for example, time delay, pulse generation, andoscillator applications. In an example where ID node 120 a conservespower by entering a sleep or dormant state for a predetermined timeperiod as part of overall power conservation techniques, timer 370assists processing unit 300 in managing timing operations. Additionally,an example may allow an ID node to share data to synchronize differentnodes with respect to timer 370 and a common timing reference betweennodes and the server.

An example may implement ID node 120 a to optionally include a basicuser interface (UI) 305 indicating status and allowing basic interactionlike start/stop. In one embodiment, the UI 305 may be implemented withstatus lights, such as multi-mode LEDs. Different colors of the lightsmay indicate a different status or mode for the ID node 120 a (e.g., anadvertising mode (broadcasting), a scanning mode (listening), a currentpower status, a battery level status, an association status, an error,as sensed condition (e.g., exceeding a temperature threshold, exceedinga moisture threshold, and the like)). Other examples of an ID node mayimplement UI 305 in a more sophisticated manner with a graphics displayor the like where such status or mode information may be displayed aswell as one or more prompts.

In a further example, an exemplary status light used as part of the UI305 of an ID node may also indicate a shipment state. In more detail, anexemplary shipment state may include a status of the shipped item or astatus of the item's current shipment journey from an origin to adestination.

An example may also implement ID node 120 a to optionally include one ormore sensors 360. In some examples, an ID node implemented with one ormore sensors 360 may be referred to as a sensor node. Examples of sensor360 may include one or more environmental sensors (e.g., pressure,movement, light, temperature, humidity, magnetic field, altitude,attitude, orientation, acceleration, etc.) and dedicated locationsensors (e.g., GPS sensor, IR sensor, proximity sensor, etc.). Thoseskilled in the art will understand that additional types of sensors thatmeasure other characteristics are contemplated for use as sensor 360.Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand that a sensornode may include additional program features to manage the collection,storage, sharing, and publication of the captured sensor data.

An example may further implement ID node 120 a to optionally include oneor more magnetic switches 365. A magnetic switch 365, such as a reedswitch, generally operates to close or open an electrical path orconnection in response to an applied magnetic field. In other words,magnetic switch 365 is actuated by the presence of a magnetic field orthe removal of a magnetic field. Various applications, as discussed inother examples described in more detail below, may involve the operationof ID node 120 a having magnetic switch 365.

Consistent with the example shown in FIG. 3, exemplary ID node 120 a maybe implemented based upon a Texas Instruments CC2540 Bluetooth® LowEnergy (BLE) System-on-Chip, which includes various peripherals (e.g.,timer circuitry, USB, USART, general-purpose I/O pins, IR interfacecircuitry, DMA circuitry) to operate as an ID node and, if necessary, tointerface with different possible sensors and other circuitry (e.g.,additional logic chips, relays, magnetic switches) that make up the IDnode.

In additional examples, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatsimilar functionality in an ID node may be implemented in other types ofhardware. For example, ID node 1720 a may be implemented with speciallyoptimized hardware (e.g., a particular application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) having the same operational control and functionality asnode control and management code, as described below, discrete logic, ora combination of hardware and firmware depending upon requirements ofthe ID node, such as power, processing speed, level of adjustability forthe RF characteristics, number of memory storage units coupled to theprocessor(s), cost, space, etc.

As noted above, ID node 120 a includes memory accessible by theprocessing unit 300. Memory storage 315 and volatile memory 320 are eachoperatively coupled to processing unit 300. Both memory componentsprovide programming and data elements used by processing unit 300. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 3, memory storage 315 maintains a varietyof program code (e.g., node control and management code 325) and otherdata elements (e.g., profile data 330, security data 335, associationdata 340, shared data 345, sensor data 350, and the like). Memorystorage 315 is a tangible, non-transient computer readable medium onwhich information (e.g., executable code/modules, node data, sensormeasurements, etc.) may be kept in a non-volatile and non-transitorymanner. Examples of such memory storage 315 may include a hard diskdrive, ROM, flash memory, or other media structure that allows longterm, non-volatile storage of information. In contrast, volatile memory320 is typically a random access memory (RAM) structure used byprocessing unit 300 during operation of the ID node 120 a. Upon power upof ID node 120 a, volatile memory 320 may be populated with anoperational program (such as node control and management code 325) orspecific program modules that help facilitate particular operations ofID node 120 a. And during operation of ID node 120 a, volatile memory320 may also include certain data (e.g., profile data 330, security data335, association data 340, shared data 345, sensor data 350, and thelike) generated as the ID node 120 a executes instructions as programmedor loaded from memory storage 315. However, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that not all data elements illustrated in FIG. 3 mustappear in memory storage 315 and volatile memory 320 at the same time.

Node Control & Management Code

Generally, an example of node control and management code 325 is acollection of software features implemented as programmatic functions orprogram modules that generally control the behavior of a node, such asID node 120 a. In an example, the functionality of code 325 may begenerally similar as implemented in different types of nodes, such as amaster node, an ID node, and a sensor node. However, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that while some principles of operation aresimilar between such nodes, other examples may implement thefunctionality with some degree of specialization or in a differentmanner depending on the desired application and use of the node.

In a general example, exemplary node control and management code 325 maygenerally comprise several programmatic functions or program modulesincluding (1) a node advertise and query (scan) logic manager (alsoreferred to herein as a node communications manager), which manages howand when a node communicates; (2) an information control and exchangemanager, which manages whether and how information may be exchangedbetween nodes; (3) a node power manager, which manages power consumptionand aspects of RF output signal power and/or receiver sensitivity forvariable short-range communications; and (4) an association managerfocusing on how the node associates with other nodes. What follows isdescription of various examples of these basic program modules used bynodes.

Node Communications Manager—Advertising & Scanning

In an example, the node advertise and query (scan) logic manager for anode governs how and when the node should advertise (transmit) itsaddress or query (scan) for the address of neighboring nodes.Advertising is generally done with a message, which may have differentinformation in various parts (e.g., headers, fields, flags, etc.). Themessage may be a single or multiple packets.

In the example, the “advertise” mode (as opposed to “query” or “scan”mode) is a default mode for an ID Node and has the node broadcasting ortransmitting a message with its address and related metadata regardingthe node. For example, exemplary metadata may include information suchas the RF output power level, a reference number, a status flag, abattery level, and a manufacturer name for the node.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure or format of an exemplaryadvertisement data packet. Referring now to FIG. 6, the structure of anexemplary advertisement data packet 600 broadcast as a signal or messagefrom an ID node, such as ID node 120 a, is shown. Packet 600 appearswith an increasing level of detail showing exemplary metadata and aformat that separately maintains distinct types of metadata in differentparts of the packet. Different examples may include different types ofmetadata depending on the deployed application of the ID node.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating sample content for an exemplaryadvertisement data packet. Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplaryadvertisement data packet 700 is illustrated with exemplary metadataincluding showing sample information such as the RF Output Power level(e.g., “TX Power Level”), a reference number (e.g., “‘FDX ID’ (ASCIIShort Name)”, a status flag (e.g., “Status Flag Value (indicates ‘AckRequested’)”), a battery level (e.g., “Battery Level Value (Indicates73% charge)”, and a manufacturer name for the node (e.g., “CompanyIdentifier (currently undefined for FedEx)”). In one example, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the reference number may beomitted or obfuscated for security purposes.

In one example, an exemplary advertising data packet may include the RFOutput power level, as noted above in FIG. 7, to enable one way to helpidentify the type of node doing the broadcasting and the location of thebroadcasting node. However, if the broadcast RF output power level isfixed and known by the node type, only the node type need beidentifiable from an exemplary advertising data packet, such as packet700.

Regarding how a node communicates, an exemplary node may be in one ofseveral different communication modes. A node in an advertising (ortransmit or broadcast) mode is visible to any other node set in a query(or scan or listen) mode. In an example, the frequency and length ofadvertising may be application and power dependent. For example, innormal operations, an exemplary node will generally advertise in aperiodic manner and expect to make an active connection to another nodeat certain intervals, which may be dictated by conditions set by server100. In an example, such conditions may be set individually for a nodeby the server or a higher level node in the network.

If an exemplary node has not received acknowledgement for an advertisingpacket within a particular period, it may enter one or more alertstages. For example, if an exemplary node has not receivedacknowledgement from another node for an advertising packet broadcast bythe exemplary node within a particular time period (also generallyreferred to as an Alert Interval), the exemplary node will enter anAlert Stage 1 status. This prompts the exemplary node to issue afollow-up advertising packet having one or more parts of it altered toindicate the Alert Stage 1 status. In more detail, this exemplaryfollow-up advertising packet may have a different advertising alertheader instructing nearby nodes to send a SCAN_REQ message uponreceiving an advertisement packet.

If an exemplary node has not received acknowledgement from a master nodefor an advertising packet broadcast by the exemplary node within anothertime period (e.g., a request from the master node to actively connectand a success connection made), it will enter another alert stage, suchas an Alert Stage 2 status. This prompts the exemplary node to issue afollow-up advertising packet having one or more parts of it altered toindicate the Alert Stage 2 status. In more detail, this exemplaryfollow-up advertising packet may have a different advertising alertheader instructing nearby master nodes to send a SCAN_REQ message uponreceiving an advertisement packet.

If an exemplary node has data to upload to the backend, it may alsoenter another type of alert stage. In one example, for example, if anexemplary node has sensor data collected by the exemplary node (orreceived from one or more other nodes that have communicated with theexemplary node), and the data needs to be uploaded to server 100, theexemplary node may enter an update alert stage, such as an Alert Stage3. This prompts the exemplary node to issue a follow-up advertisingpacket having one or more parts of it altered to indicate the AlertStage 3 status. In more detail, this exemplary follow-up advertisingpacket may have a different advertising alert header instructing nearbymaster nodes to make a connection with the exemplary node so that thedata (e.g., sensor data 350) may be transmitted from the exemplary node(e.g., ID node 120 a) to a nearby master node (e.g., master node 1720a). The transmitted data may then be stored by the nearby master node assensor data 450 in either or both of the master node's volatile memory420 and memory storage 415. Subsequent to that storage operation, thenearby master node will transfer the data (e.g., sensor data 450) toserver 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 and explained in the above description of alertlevel stages, a status flag in a header of an exemplary advertising datapacket is a field used in the association logic in one or more examples.For example, in one example, the existence of a status flag in theadvertising data packet allows a first node to communicate its status toa second node, and for the second node to report that status to thebackend server, such as server 100, without an active direct connectionfrom the first node to the server. In other words, the status flag helpsfacilitate passive interactions between nodes (such as passiveassociations).

In a more detailed example, several exemplary status types areestablished with respect to communications with other nodes. Forexample, the exemplary status types may comprise the following:

-   -   Alert Level 0—no issue, operating normal;    -   Alert Level 1—The advertising node is requesting that any        available node acknowledge the receipt of its advertisement        packet;    -   Alert Level 2—The advertising node is requesting that any        available master node acknowledge the receipt of its        advertisement packet;    -   Alert Level 3—Data for Upload—node has captured data available        for upload through a master node; and    -   Synchronize—The advertising node requests to connect with a        device or sensor that can synchronize data (such as timer or        location information).

By broadcasting the status via, for example, a portion of a header in anadvertising data packet, one or more nodes within range of thebroadcasting node can determine the node's status and initiate activeconnections if requested in the status message.

A request for more information from the advertising node may, in someexamples, come in the form of a SCAN_REQ message. In general, anexemplary SCAN_REQ is a message sent from a scanning (listening) masternode to an advertising node requesting additional information from theadvertising node. In this example, the alert status bit may indicate tothe scanning master node, for example, at an application layer, whetherthe advertising node is in a mode that will or will not accept aSCAN_REQ. In one example, the non-connectable and discoverable modes ofnode advertising are in compliance with Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE)standards.

In another example, a node may have further different modes of operationwhile scanning or listening for other nodes. For example, a node's queryor scanning mode may be active or passive. When a node is scanning whilepassive, the node will receive advertising data packets, but will notacknowledge and send SCAN_REQ. However, when a node is scanning whileactive, the node will receive advertising data packets, and willacknowledge receipt by sending a SCAN_REQ. A more detailed example mayprovide the passive and active modes of scanning or inquiry incompliance with Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) standards.

In an example, an exemplary node is scanning as it listens for otherwireless nodes broadcasting on the short-range radio. An exemplaryscanning node may capture, for example, a MAC address of the advertisingnode, a signal strength of the RF output signal transmitted from theadvertising node, and any other metadata published by the advertisingnode (e.g., other information in the advertising data packet). Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of “listening” when anode is scanning may vary. For example, the query may be limited. Inother words, the scope of what a node is particularly interested in andfor which it is listening may be focused or otherwise limited. In such acase, for example, the information collected may be limited toparticular information from a targeted population of short-rangewireless nodes advertising; but the information collection may beconsidered “open” where information from any advertising device iscollected.

When nodes are advertising or scanning, an example may make further useof status flags and additional modes when advertising or scanning aspart of how nodes communicate and may be managed. In one example, when ascanning (listening) node receives an advertising data packet with thestatus flag indicating an Alert Level 1 or 2 status, and the scanningnode is in “Passive” scanning mode, the node will switch to “Active”scanning mode for some interval. However, when the scanning node in thissituation is already in an “Active” scanning mode, the node will sendthe SCAN_REQ message and receive a SCAN_RSP from the advertising node(e.g., a message providing the additional information requested from theadvertising node). The scanning node will then switch back to a“Passive” scanning mode.

In another example, when an advertising (broadcasting) node receives aSCAN_REQ from a scanning node, the advertising node will consider thatits advertising data packet has been acknowledged. Further, theadvertising node will reset its “Alert” status flag back to an AlertLevel 0 status. This allows the advertising node to effectively receivean acknowledgement to its advertisement without ever making a connectionto the scanning node, which advantageously and significantly saves onpower consumption.

In yet another example, when a scanning node receives an advertisingdata packet with an Alert Level 3 status flag set, the scanning nodewill attempt to make a connection with the advertising device. Once theconnection is made, the advertising device will attempt to upload itsdata to the connected device

Thus, an example of the node advertise and query (scan) logic manager ofcode 325 may rely upon one or more status flags, advertising modes,scanning modes, as nodes communicate with each other in variousadvantageous manners.

Node Information Control & Exchange Manager

In an example, the information control and exchange manager part of nodecontrol and management code 325 determines whether and how informationmay be exchanged between nodes. In the example, the information controland exchange manager establishes different node operational states whereinformation may be changed according to a desired paradigm for thestate. In more detail, an example of information control and exchangemanager may establish different levels of information exchange betweennodes with a “non-connectable advertising” state or mode of operation, a“discoverable advertising” state or mode, and a “general advertising”state or mode operation. When a node is in the “non-connectableadvertising” mode, the node information exchange is limited. Forexample, the advertising node may broadcast information that is capturedby one or more querying (scanning) nodes, but no two-way exchange ofinformation happens.

When a node is in the “discoverable advertising” mode and a scanningnode is in “Active” mode, the node information exchange in enabled bothways. For example, the advertising node sends the advertising packet,and in response the scanning node sends the SCAN_REQ packet. After theadvertising node receives the SCAN_REQ requesting additionalinformation, the advertising node sends the SCAN_RSP with the requestedinformation. Thus, in the “discoverable advertising” mode there is atwo-way exchange of information, but no active connection is madebetween the two nodes exchanging information.

Finally, for advanced two-way information exchange, an active connectionmay be used between nodes and information may be exchanged both ways toand from different nodes. In a more detailed example, at this level oftwo-way information exchange, nodes are first identified and thenauthenticated as part of establishing the active connection. Onceauthenticated and thereafter actively connected to each other, the nodesmay securely share information back and forth. In one example, a sensornode uploading previously captured environmental information to a masternode may be in this mode or state. In another example, an ID nodeuploading the stored results of a node scanning operation to a masternode may be in this mode or state. In yet another example, a master nodesharing a timer and/or location information with corresponding nodes maybe in this mode or state.

Node Power Manager

In an example, the node power manager part of node control andmanagement code 325 focuses on managing power consumption and theadvantageous use of power (e.g., an adjustable level of RF output signalpower) in a node. In general, nodes are either powered by a battery(such as battery 355 in an ID node), or by an interface (such asbattery/power interface 470 in a master node) to an external powersource. Examples of an external power source may include, in someexamples, power supplied from an outlet or power connection within afacility, or power generated onboard a conveyance (e.g., automobile,truck, train, aircraft, ship, etc.). Those skilled in the art willappreciate that an interface to an external power source will begenerally referred to as a “wired” power connection, and that node powermanager may be informed whether a node is wired or powered off abattery, such as battery 355. Further examples may implement aninterface to an external power source with wireless power transmission,such as via inductive coils.

In one example, a node may manage power used when performing tasks. Forexample, a node may manage power when determining which node shouldperform a particular task. In more detail, the collective powerconsumption of a group of devices may be managed by electing to employwired nodes, when feasible or desired, to accomplish a particular task,and saving the battery-powered nodes for other less energy burdensome ortaxing tasks. In another example, historic data may inform the system ofthe power needed to accomplish a particular task, and the system maymake a determination of which node should accomplish the particular taskbased upon such historic data. In other examples, profile data may alsobe used to inform the system of the power needed to accomplish aparticular task (e.g., a sensor profile that describes powerrequirements for operation of a sensor node that gathers sensor dataover a certain period of time and under certain conditions). The systemmay also make a determination of which node should accomplish theparticular task based upon such profile data.

In another example, the exemplary node power manager may manage powerwhen determining how to best to use and adjust power to more accuratelyaccomplish a particular task. In one example, an RF signal output from anode (such as a short-range RF output signal from an ID node) mayperiodically move through a range of output power or simply switchbetween two or more settings that differ in a detectable manner. Asdisclosed in more detail below, the variability and dynamic adjustmentof RF output signal power may allow other nodes (such as one or moremaster nodes) to see each node at the upper range of the RF outputsignal power, and only see nodes physically close to the advertisingnode at the lower range of signal power.

In another example, the exemplary node power manager may cause a changeto a characteristic of its RF output signal power when the node has beenassociated to a physical place or another node by virtue of context data(such as context data 560 and association logic that utilizes that typeof information). In one example, the node may be instructed to changehow often the node communicates and/or a characteristic of its RF outputpower to preserve power.

In yet another example, all advertising nodes may have their respectivenode power managers periodically cause each respective node to broadcastat a maximum RF output signal power level to ensure they still arewithin range of a scanning ID Node or Master Node. Doing so may increasethe chance of being in communication range and allows the individualnodes to be properly located and managed within the network. Thebroadcast duration may be set or dynamically changed to allow pairing tooccur if needed.

Rather than adjust the RF output signal power level, the exemplary nodepower manager may, in some examples, adjust the RF receiver sensitivityof a node. This allows for an adjustable range of reception (as opposedto merely an adjustable range of broadcast), which may similarly be usedto manage power and enhance location determinations as discussed herein.

In yet another example, a combination approach may be used in which thenode power manager may concurrently and independently adjust more thanone RF characteristic of a node. For example, an exemplary node powermanager may adjust an RF output signal power level and also adjust theRF receiver sensitivity of a node as the node is located and associatedwith other nodes. Those skilled in the art will realize that this may beespecially useful in an area with an unusually dense concentration ofnodes, and a combination of changing RF output signal power levels.

An example of the exemplary node manager may refer to a power profile(e.g., an exemplary type of profile data 330, 430) when adjusting anode's power characteristics (e.g., consumption of power, use of power,output signal frequency, duty cycle of the output put signal, timing,power levels, etc.).

Node Association Manager

In an exemplary example, the node association manager part of nodecontrol and management code 325 focuses on how the nodes associate withother nodes in conjunction and consistent with the server-sideassociation manager in code 525, as discussed in more detail below.Thus, exemplary node association manager, when executing in a node,directs how the node associates (e.g., enters an active connection mode)with one or more other nodes with input from the server.

The exemplary node association manager for a node may indicate through aStatus Flag if the node requires an acknowledgement or connection, or ifit has information available for upload to the backend. Thus, while anode may not be associated or actively connected yet to another node, astatus of the node may be inferred from, for example, the statusinformation in the node's broadcast header.

Regarding connections between nodes, there are generally secureconnections and unsecure connections. While an example may allowunsecure connections between one or more sets of nodes, other examplesrely upon secure connections or authenticate pairings of nodes. In oneexample, for a node to pair with another node, the exemplary nodeassociation manager first identifies the nodes to be associated andtransmits an association request to the server. The request may includea specific request to pair the nodes and ask for the correspondingpairing credentials from the server, such as server 100. The server 100may have staged pairing credentials on particular nodes based oninformation indicating the nodes would be within wireless proximity andfuture pairing may occur. Visibility to the node relationship may havebeen determined through scan-advertising, or 3^(rd) party data such asbarcode scan information indicating the nodes to be within proximitycurrently or at a future state.

When connecting or not connecting to exchange information under theexemplary node information exchange modes described above, nodesgenerally operate in a number of states, which make up an exemplaryadvertise cycle for an exemplary ID node. Such an exemplary advertisecycle for a node is further explained below with reference to FIG. 8 andin conjunction and consistent with the server-side association managerin code 525, as discussed in more detail below.

Airborne Mode Program Module

In one example, node control and management code 325 may also include anairborne mode program module (not shown). In another example, theairborne mode program module may be implemented as a part of the nodepower manager program module of code 325. An exemplary airborne modeprogram module generally operates to manage the output power of the IDnode's variable power short-range communication interface 375 when theID node is operating in an aircraft. Operating a wireless device withinan aircraft may, in some circumstances, have an unintentional impact onother electronic systems on the aircraft. In more detail, an example ofthe airborne mode program module may operate to transition the ID nodefrom different states or modes depending upon particular operationsand/or operational conditions of the aircraft. For example, an exemplaryairborne mode program module may operate to transition the ID node fromone state or mode (e.g., a normal mode prior to takeoff, a disabled modeduring takeoff, an airborne mode while aloft, a disabled mode duringdescent, and a normal mode after landing) based upon detectedenvironmental conditions (e.g., pressure, altitude) and/or flight detailinformation associated with the aircraft. In this way, an ID node may beallowed to normally operate when onboard an aircraft, be disabled fromoperating at all in some circumstances, and be able to operate in anairplane mode that allows sensing and sensor data capture, but that maylimit transmission of an RF output signal to avoid interference with theaircraft's onboard electronics. Further information related to a methodof managing a wireless device (such as an ID node) in an aircraft isdisclosed in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/761,963 entitled “System and Method for Management of WirelessDevices Aboard an Aircraft,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Node Data

As previously noted, volatile memory 320 may also include certain data(e.g., profile data 330, security data 335, association data 340, shareddata 345, sensor data, and the like) generated as the ID node 120 aexecutes instructions as programmed or loaded from memory storage 315.In general, data used on a node, such as an ID node, may be receivedfrom other nodes or generated by the node during operations.

In one example, profile data 330 is a type of data that defines ageneral type of behavior for an ID node, such as a Broadcast Profile(discussed in more detail below). In another example where ID node 120 ais a BLE device, profile data 330 may include a Bluetooth® compatibleprofile related to battery service (exposing the state of a batterywithin a device), proximity between BLE devices, or messaging betweenBLE devices. Thus, exemplary profile data 330 may exist in volatilememory 320 and/or memory storage 315 as a type of data that definesparameters of node behavior.

In one example, it may be desired to allow secured pairings of nodes. Aswill be explained in more detail below, as part of secure pairing ofnodes, a request for pairing credentials is generated and sent to server100. Thus, exemplary security data 335 (e.g., PIN data, securitycertificates, keys, etc.) may exist in volatile memory 320 and/or memorystorage 315 as a type of data associated with providing securedrelationships between nodes, such as the requested security credentials.

Association data, such as association data 340, generally identifies aconnected relationship between nodes. For example, ID node 120 a maybecome associated with the master node 1720 a as the ID node 120 a moveswithin range of the master node 1720 a and after the server directs thetwo nodes to associate (with authorization). As a result, informationidentifying the relationship between ID node 120 a and master node 1720a may be generated and provided to server 100 and may be provided, assome point, to each of ID node 120 a and master node 1720 a. Thus,exemplary association data 340 may exist in volatile memory 320 and/ormemory storage 315 as a type of data identifying associations betweennodes and may be generated locally as part of associating between nodes.

Shared data 345 may exist in volatile memory 320 and/or memory storage315 as a type of data exchanged between nodes. For example, context data(such as environmental data or historic data) may be a type of shareddata 345.

Sensor data 350 may also exist in volatile memory 320 and/or memorystorage 315 as a type of data recorded and collected from an onboardsensor or from another node. For example, sensor data 350 may includetemperature readings from a temperature sensor onboard an ID node and/orhumidity readings from a humidity sensor in another ID node (e.g., fromanother of the ID nodes within container 210 as shown in FIG. 2).

Thus, an ID node (such as node 120 a shown in FIG. 3) is a lower costwireless node that communicates with other ID nodes and master nodes viaa short-range radio with variable RF characteristics, can be associatedwith other nodes, can broadcast to and scan for other nodes, associatedwith other nodes, and store/exchange information with other nodes.

Master Node

A master node, such as master node 1720 a shown in more detail in FIG.4, shares many ID node features but generally expands upon them in orderto function as a bridge to the server 100. In general, while an ID nodeis a type of lower level node in an exemplary wireless node network, amaster node is a type of higher level node. An exemplary master node maybe in a fixed location or otherwise stationary, while other examplemaster nodes may be implemented as movable and mobile devices.

Referring now to FIG. 4, exemplary master node 1720 a comprises aprocessing or logic unit 400 coupled to a short-range communicationinterface 485, memory storage 415, volatile memory 420, clock/timer 460,and battery/power interface 470. In some examples, the short-rangecommunication interface 485 may have variable power characteristics,such as receiver sensitivity and RF output power level. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that processing unit 400 is logic, such as amicroprocessor or microcontroller, which generally performs computationson data and executes operational and application program code and otherprogram modules within the master node 1720 a.

In general, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thedescription of hardware with respect to ID node 1720 a in FIG. 4 appliesto the similar hardware and software features appearing in each type ofnode, including a master node. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat exemplary master node 1720 a is a hardware-based component that mayimplement processor 400 with a single processor or logic unit, a morepowerful multi-core processor, or multiple processors depending upon thedesired implementation. In one example, processing unit 400 may beimplemented with a low power microprocessor and associated peripheralcircuitry. Less complex microcontrollers or discrete circuitry may beused to implement processing unit 400 as well as more complex andsophisticated general purpose or dedicated purpose processors.

In yet another example, exemplary processing unit 400 may be implementedby a low power ARM1176JZ-F application processor used as part of asingle-board computer, such as the Raspberry Pi Computer Model B-Rev-2.The ARM application processor is embedded within a Broadcom® BCM2835system-on-chip (SoC) deployed in the Raspberry Pi Computer. In thisexample, the Raspberry Pi Computer device operates as a core ofexemplary master node 1720 a and includes a Secure Digital memory cardslot and flash memory card operating as memory storage 415, a 512 MbyteRAM memory storage operating as volatile memory 420, an operating system(such as Linux) stored on memory storage 415 and running in volatilememory 420, and peripherals that implement clock/timer 460, and a powersupply operating as a power interface 470.

Like short-range interface 375 in ID node 120 a, exemplary master node1720 a includes a short-range communication interface 480 as aprogrammable radio and an omni-directional antenna coupled to theprocessing unit 400. In some examples, the short-range communicationinterface 480 may have variable RF power characteristics, such asreceiver sensitivity and/or RF output signal power level. In someexamples, interface 480 may use an antenna with a different antennaprofile when directionality may be desired. Examples of short-rangecommunication interface 480 may include other hardware (not shown) foroperatively coupling the device to a specific short-range communicationpath (e.g., a Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) connection path communicatingat 2.4 GHz). While BLE is used in one example to enable a short-rangecommunication protocol, variable power short-range interface 480 may beimplemented with other low power, short-range communication protocols,such as ultra-low power communication protocols used with ultra-widebandimpulse radio communications, ZigBee protocols, IEEE 802.15.4 standardcommunication protocols, and the like.

In one example, various RF characteristics of the radio's transceiver,such as the RF output power and the RF receiver sensitivity may bedynamically and programmatically varied under control of processing unit400. In other examples, further RF characteristics of the radio'stransceiver may be programmatically varied, such as frequency, dutycycle, timing, modulation schemes, spread spectrum frequency hoppingaspects, etc., as needed to flexibly adjust the RF output signal asneeded depending upon a desired implementation and anticipated use ofexemplary master node 1720 a. In other words, examples of master node1720 a (or any other master node) may have programmatically adjustableRF characteristics (such as an adjustable RF output signal power, anadjustable RF receiver sensitivity, the ability to switch to a differentfrequency or frequency band, etc.).

In addition to the short-range communication interface 480, exemplarymaster node 1720 a includes a medium and/or long-range communicationinterface 485 to provide a communication path to server 100 via network1710. In one example, communication interface 485 may be implementedwith a medium range radio in the form of an IEEE 802.11g compliant Wi-Fitransceiver. In another example, communication interface 485 may beimplemented with a longer range radio in the form of a cellular radio.In yet another example, both a Wi-Fi transceiver and a cellular radiomay be used when best available or according to a priority (e.g., firstattempt to use the Wi-Fi transceiver if available due to possible lowercosts; and if not, then rely on the cellular radio). In other words, anexample may rely upon the longer range cellular radio part of interface485 as an alternative to the medium range Wi-Fi transceiver radio, orwhen the medium range radio is out of reach from a connectinginfrastructure radio within network 1710. In still another example, theshort-range communication interface 480 and/or the medium/long-rangecommunication interface 485 may be implemented with a wireless radiotransceiver (e.g., a hardware radio, a wireless transceiver implementedwith a combination of hardware and software, or a software defined radio(SDR) implementation of a wireless radio transceiver capable ofproviding the functionality of both interface 480 and 485).

Thus, in these examples, medium and/or long-range communicationinterface 485 may be used to communicate captured node information(e.g., profile data 430, association data 440, shared data 445, sensordata 450, and location data 455) to server 100.

The battery/power interface 470 for master node 1720 a generally powersthe circuitry implementing master node 1720 a. In one example,battery/power interface 470 may be a rechargeable power source. Forexample, a master node may have a rechargeable power source along with asolar panel that charges the power source in order to help facilitatedeployment of the master in a remote location. In another example,battery/power interface 470 may be a non-rechargeable power sourceintended to be disposed of after use. In yet another example,battery/power interface 470 may be a power interface connector (such asa power cord and internal power supply on master node 1720 a). Thus,when an exemplary master node is in a fixed or stationary configuration,it may be powered by a power cord connected to an electrical outlet,which is coupled to an external power source. However, other mobilemaster nodes may use an internal power source, such as a battery.

The clock/timer 460 for master node 1720 a generally provides one ormore timing circuits used in, for example, time delay, pulse generation,and oscillator applications. In an example where master node 1720 aconserves power by entering a sleep or dormant state for a predeterminedtime period as part of overall power conservation techniques,clock/timer 460 assists processing unit 400 in managing timingoperations.

Optionally, an example may also implement master node 1720 a asincluding one or more sensors 465 (similar to sensors deployed on IDnode based Sensor nodes and described above with respect to FIG. 3).Additionally, an example of master node 1720 a may also provide a userinterface 405 to indicate status and allow basic interaction for reviewof captured node data and interaction with nodes and server 100. In oneexample, user interface 405 may provide a display, interactive buttonsor soft keys, and a pointing device to facilitate interaction with thedisplay. In a further example, a data entry device may also be used aspart of the user interface 405. In other examples, user interface 405may take the form of one or more lights (e.g., status lights), audibleinput and output devices (e.g., a microphone and speaker), ortouchscreen.

As previously noted, an exemplary master node, such as master node 1720a, may be positioned in a known fixed location or, alternatively,includes dedicated location positioning circuitry 475 (e.g., GPScircuitry) to allow the master node self-determine its location or todetermine its location by itself. In other examples, alternativecircuitry and techniques may be relied upon for location circuitry 475(rather than GPS), such as location circuitry compatible with othersatellite-based systems (e.g., the European Galileo system, the RussianGLONASS system, the Chinese Compass system), terrestrial radio-basedpositioning systems (e.g., cell phone tower-based or Wi-Fi-basedsystems), infrared positioning systems, visible light based positioningsystems, and ultrasound-based positioning systems).

Regarding memory storage 415 and volatile memory 420, both areoperatively coupled to processing unit 400 in exemplary master node 1720a. Both memory components provide program elements used by processingunit 400 and maintain and store data elements accessible to processingunit 400 (similar to the possible data elements stored in memory storage315 and volatile memory 320 for exemplary ID node 120 a).

In the example shown in FIG. 4, memory storage 415 maintains a varietyof executable program code (e.g., master control and management code425), data similar to that kept in an ID node's memory storage 315(e.g., profile data 430, security data 435, association data 440, shareddata 445, sensor data 450, and the like) as well as other data morespecific to the operation of master node 1720 a (e.g., location data 455that is related to the location of a particular node). Like memorystorage 315, memory storage 415 is a tangible, non-transient computerreadable medium on which information (e.g., executable code/modules,node data, sensor measurements, etc.) may be kept in a non-volatile andnon-transitory manner.

Like volatile memory 320 in ID node 120 a, volatile memory 420 istypically a random access memory (RAM) structure used by processing unit400 during operation of the master node 1720 a. Upon power up of masternode 1720 a, volatile memory 120 may be populated with an operationalprogram (such as master control and management code 425) or specificprogram modules that help facilitate particular operations of masternode 1720 a. And during operation of master 1720 a, volatile memory 420may also include certain data (e.g., profile data 430, security data435, association data 440, shared data 445, sensor data 450, and thelike) generated as the master node 1720 a executes instructions asprogrammed or loaded from memory storage 415.

Master Control & Management Code

Generally, an example of master control and management code 425 is acollection of software features implemented as programmatic functions orprogram modules that generally control the behavior of a master node,such as master node 1720 a. In one example, master control andmanagement code 425 generally comprises several programmatic functionsor program modules including (1) a node advertise and query (scan) logicmanager, which manages how and when a node communicates; (2) aninformation control and exchange manager, which manages whether and howinformation may be exchanged between nodes; (3) a node power manager,which manages power consumption and aspects of RF output signal powerand/or receiver sensitivity for variable short-range communications; (4)an association manager focusing on how the node associates with othernodes; and (5) a location aware/capture module to determine nodelocation.

Master Node Program Modules and ID Node Modules

In an exemplary example, program modules (1)-(4) of master node controland management code 425 generally align with the functionality ofsimilarly named program modules (1)-(4) of node control and managementcode 325 as described above with respect to FIG. 3. Additionally, asnode control and management code 325 may also comprise an airborne modeprogram module, those skilled in the art will appreciate and understandthat master node control and management code 425 may also comprise asimilar functionality airborne mode program module in order to allowadvantageous operations of a master node while airborne. However, andconsistent with examples set forth below, such modules may have somedifferences when in a master node compared with those controlling an IDnode.

Location Aware/Capture Module

In addition to exemplary program modules (1)-(4) of code 425, anexemplary example of master node control and management code 425 willfurther comprise an exemplary location aware/capture module related tonode location (more generally referred to as a location manager modulefor a master node). In general, the exemplary location aware/capturemodule deployed in an exemplary master node may determine its ownlocation and, in some examples, the location of a connected node.Examples of the exemplary location aware/capture module may work inconjunction with location manager program code residing and operating ina server (e.g., as part of server control and management code 525) whendetermining node locations of other nodes, as discussed in more detailherein.

In one example, a master node may be positioned in a known, fixedlocation. In such an example, the exemplary location aware/capturemodule may be aware that the master node location is a known, fixedlocation, which may be defined in a fixed, preset, or preprogrammed partof memory storage 415 (e.g., information in the location data 455maintained in memory storage 415). Examples of such location informationmay include conventional location coordinates or other descriptivespecifics that identify the location of the master node. In anotherexample where the master node may not be inherently known or a fixedlocation at all times (e.g., for a mobile master node), the exemplarylocation aware/capture module may communicate with location circuitry,such as GPS circuitry 475 on a master node, to determine the currentlocation of the master node.

In an example, the location of the master node may be communicated tothe server, which may use this location information as part of managingand tracking nodes in the wireless node network. For example, if anexemplary master node is mobile and has determined a new currentlocation using location circuitry 475, the master node may provide thatnew current location for the master node to the server. Additionally,when the master node's exemplary location aware/capture moduledetermines the location of a node associated with the master node, themaster node may also provide the location of that node associated withthe master node to the server.

Server

While FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate details of hardware and software aspectsof an exemplary ID node and exemplary master node, respectively, FIG. 5provides a more detailed diagram of an exemplary server that may operateas part of an exemplary wireless node network. In an exemplary example,server 100 may be referred to as an Association and Data ManagementServer (ADMS) that manages the nodes, collects information from thenodes, stores the collected information from the nodes, maintains or hasaccess to context data related to the environment in which the nodes areoperating, and may provide information about the nodes (e.g., status,sensor information, etc.) to requesting entities. Further details onvarious examples that take advantage of this functionality are explainedbelow. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that node density,geographic installation characterization, and network connectively areall types of examples of factors that may impact a final architecturedesired for an example of a wireless node network. Additionally, inembodiments described in more detail below, a server that may interactwith master nodes and ID nodes as described here may be implemented anddeployed as a dispatch server that is responsive to dispatch requestsand transmits dispatch commands to different nodes (such as a masternode operating as an autonomous controller within a modular mobileautonomous control module (also referred to as an exemplar MAMcomponent).

Referring now to FIG. 5, exemplary server 100 is shown as a networkedcomputing platform capable of connecting to and interacting with atleast the wireless master nodes. In other examples, exemplary server 100is also capable of connecting to and interacting with one or more useraccess devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that exemplaryserver 100 is a hardware-based component that may be implemented in awide variety of ways. For example, server 100 may use a single processoror may be implemented as one or more part of a multi-processor componentthat communicates with devices (such as user access devices 200, 205)and wireless nodes (such as master node 1720 a).

In general, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that server100 may be implemented as a single computing system, a distributedserver (e.g., separate servers for separate server related tasks), ahierarchical server (e.g., a server implemented with multiple levelswhere information may be maintained at different levels and tasksperformed at different levels depending on implementation), or a serverfarm that logically allows multiple distinct components to function asone server computing platform device from the perspective of a clientdevice (e.g., devices 200, 205 or master node 1720 a). In some regionaldeployments, an exemplary server may include servers dedicated forspecific geographic regions as information collected within differentregions may include and be subject to different regulatory controls andrequirements implemented on respective regional servers.

Likewise, while the example shown in FIG. 5 illustrates a single memorystorage 515, exemplary server 100 may deploy more than one memorystorage media. And memory storage media may be in differingnon-transitory forms (e.g., conventional hard disk drives, solid statememory such as flash memory, optical drives, RAID systems, cloud storageconfigured memory, network storage appliances, etc.).

At its core, exemplary server 100 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a processingor logic unit 500 coupled to a network interface 590, which facilitatesand enables operative connections and communications through network1710 with one or more master nodes as well as, in some examples, useraccess devices, such as devices 200, 205. In one example, server 100 mayinclude a medium and/or long-range communication interface 595 withwhich to more directly communicate with one or more master nodes. Usingthese communication paths as well as program code or program modules(such as server control and management code 525), the server 100generally operates to coordinate and manage information related to an IDnode as an item associated with the ID node physically moves from onelocation to another.

As a computing platform, the processing unit 500 of exemplary server 100is operatively coupled to memory storage 515 and volatile memory 520,which collectively store and provide a variety of executable programcode (e.g., server control and management code 525), data similar tothat kept in a master or ID node's respective memory storage (e.g.,profile data 530, security data 535, association data 540, shared data545, sensor data 550, location data 555) and context data 560 related tothe environment in which the nodes are operating (e.g., informationgenerated from within the wireless node network and information createdexternal to the wireless node network).

Like memory storage 315 and storage 415, memory storage 515 is atangible, non-transient computer readable medium on which information(e.g., executable code/modules (e.g., server control and management code525), node-related data (e.g., profile data 530, security data 535,association data 540, location data 555, etc.), measurement information(e.g., a type of shared data 545, sensor data 550, etc.), andinformation on the contextual environment for the nodes (e.g., contextdata 560) may be kept in a non-volatile and non-transitory manner.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above identificationof particular program code and data are not exhaustive and that examplesmay include further executable program code or modules as well as otherdata relevant to operations of a processing-based device, such as an IDnode, a master node, and a server.

Context Data

As noted above, server 100 may access context data 560 as part ofmanaging nodes in the wireless node network. The exemplary server 100may contain a collection of such context data 560 in a context database565 according to an example. As illustrated in FIG. 5, exemplary contextdatabase 565 is a single database accessible by processing unit 500internal to server 100. Those skilled in the art will readily understandthat other configurations that provide an accessible collection ofcontext data 560 are possible and contemplated within the scope andprinciples of examples of the invention. For example, context database565 may be an externally accessible database (or multiple databases),such as an accessible storage maintained outside the server 100 via adedicated interface or a network storage device (or network attachedstorage (NAS) unit). In yet another example, the context database may beseparately maintained by an external database server (not shown) that isdistinct from server 100, but accessible through a communication pathfrom server 100 to a separate database server (e.g., via network 1710).Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that contextdatabase 565 may be implemented with cloud technology that essentiallyprovides a distributed networked storage of collections of information(such as context data 560, sensor data 550, shared data 545, etc.)accessible to server 100.

Within context database 565, an exemplary example of the collection ofcontext data 560 may be maintained that generally relates to anenvironment in which the nodes are operating or anticipated to beoperating. In more detail, the context data 560 may generally relate towhat a similar node has experienced in a similar environment to what agiven node is presently experiencing or is anticipated to experience asthe given node moves.

In a general example, an environment in which a node may be actually oranticipated to be operating may include different types ofenvironments—for example, an electronic communication environment (e.g.,an RF environment that may be cluttered with signals or includematerials or structure that may impede or otherwise shield RFcommunications), a physical environment of an anticipated path alongwith the identified node moves (e.g., temperature, humidity, security,and other physical characteristics), a conveyance environment related tohow a node may move or be anticipated to be moving (e.g., speed andother parameters of a truck, airplane, conveyor system), and a densityenvironment related to the density of nodes within an area near aparticular node (e.g., how many nodes are anticipated to occupy acorridor or a storage facility through which a particular ID node isanticipated to transit on its shipping path).

In light of these different aspects of a node's operating environment,exemplary context data 560 may provide information related to differentstructures and conditions related to movement of an item (e.g., aparticular type of courier device, vehicle, facility, transportationcontainer, etc.). Such information may be generated by an entityoperating the wireless node network, such as a shipping company.Additionally, exemplary context data 560 may include third party datagenerated external to the wireless node network. Thus, context data,such as data 560, may include a wide variety of data that generallyrelates to the environment in which the nodes are operating and may beused to advantageously provide enhanced node management capabilities.

In general, FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary types of context data 560 beingmaintained in database 565 and in volatile memory 520. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that context data 560 may also be maintained inother data structures, in addition to or instead of maintaining suchinformation in a database. As illustrated in FIG. 5, exemplary types ofcontext data 560 may include but are not limited to scan data 570,historic data 575, shipment data 580, layout data 585, RF data 587, and3^(rd) party data.

Scan data 570 is generally data collected for a particular item relatedto an event. For example, when an item is placed in a package (such aspackage 130), a label may be generated and placed on the exterior of thepackage. The label may include a visual identifier that, when scanned byan appropriate scanning device capable of capturing, identifies thepackage. The information generated in response to scanning theidentifier (a type of event), may be considered a type of scan data.Other scan data 570 may include, for example, general inventory datagenerated upon manual entry of information related to the package;captured package custodial control data; and bar code scan data.

Historic data 575 is generally data previously collected and/or analyzedrelated to a common characteristic. Historic data 575 embodiesoperational knowledge and know-how for a particular characteristicrelevant to operations of the wireless node network. For example, thecommon characteristic may be a particular event (e.g., movement of anitem from an open air environment to within a particular closedenvironment, such as a building), a type of item (e.g., a type ofpackage, a type of content being shipped, a location, a shipment path,etc.), a success rate with a particular item (e.g., successfulshipment), and the like. Another example of historic data 575 mayinclude processing information associated with how an item has beenhistorically processed as it is moved from one location to another(e.g., when moving within a particular facility, processing informationmay indicate the item is on a particular conveyor and may includeinformation about the conveyor (such as speed and how long it isanticipated the item will be on the conveyor)).

Shipment data 580 is generally data related to an item being moved fromone location to another location. In one example, shipment data 580 maycomprise a tracking number, content information for an item beingshipped, address information related to an origin and destinationlocations, and other characteristics of the item being moved. Shipmentdata may further comprise authentication related information for an item(e.g., identifier information on an authorized delivery recipient forthe item).

Layout data 585 is generally data related to the physical area of one ormore parts of an anticipated path. For example, an example of layoutdata 585 may include building schematics and physical dimensions ofportions of a building in which a node may be transiting. An example mayfurther include density information associated with physical areas to betransited and anticipated numbers of potential nodes in those areas astypes of layout data. In another example, an example of layout data mayinclude a configuration of how a group of packages may be assembled on apallet, placed into a shipping container (e.g., a unit load device(ULD)) that helps move a collection of items on various forms withsingle mode or intermodal transport.

RF data 587 is generally signal degradation information about a signalpath environment for a particular type of node and may relate toparticular adverse RF conditions that may cause signal fluctuations,interference, or other degradation from the otherwise optimal signalpath environment for that type of node. For example, RF data may includeshielding effects when using a particular packaging or location,shielding effects when the package is within a particular type ofcontainer or assembled as part of a palletized shipment, shieldingeffects when particular content is shipped, and other physical andelectronic interference factors.

Third party data 589 is an additional type of context data 560 thatgenerally includes data generated outside the network. For example,third party data may include weather information associated withparticular areas to be transited as the item is moved along ananticipated path from one location to another. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate other types of third party data that relate to physicaland environmental conditions to be faced by an item being moved from onelocation to another may also be considered context data 560.

The use of context data, such as context data 560 described above,advantageously helps server 100 (and other nodes) better manage movementof items, provide better location determination, enhance intelligentoperation and management of different levels of the wireless nodenetwork, and provide enhanced visibility to the current location andstatus of the item during operation of the wireless node network. In oneexample, server control and management code 525 may provide suchfunctionality that enables the wireless node network to be contextuallyaware and responsive.

Server Control & Management Code

Generally, server control and management code 525 controls operations ofexemplary server 100. In an example, server control and management code525 is a collection of software features implemented as programmaticfunctions in code or separate program modules that generally control thebehavior of server 100. Thus, exemplary server control and managementcode 525 may be implemented with several programmatic functions orprogram modules including, but not limited to, (1) a server-sideassociation manager, which provides a framework for more robust andintelligent management of nodes in the wireless node network; (2) acontext-based node manager, which enhances management of nodes in thewireless node network based upon context data; (3) a security manager,which manages secure pairing aspects of node management; (4) a nodeupdate manager, which provides updated or different programming for aparticular node and shares information with nodes; (5) a locationmanager for determining and tracking the location of nodes in thenetwork; and (6) an information update manager, which services requestsfor information related to the current status of a node or generallyproviding information about a node or collected from a node

Server-Side Association Manager

The server-side association manager (also referred to as a server-sideassociation management function) is generally a program module inexemplary code 525 that is responsible for intelligently managing thenodes in the wireless node network using a secure information framework.In an example, this framework may be implemented to be a context-driven,learning sensor platform. The framework may also enable a way forinformation (such as RF scan, location, date/time, and sensor data) tobe securely shared across nodes, a way to change the behavior of a node,and for a node to know it is considered “missing.” The frameworkestablished during operation of the server-side association managerallows the network of nodes to be managed as a system with enhanced andoptimized accuracy of determining the physical location of each ID Node.Further information regarding particular examples of such an associationmanagement framework and methods are explained below in more detail

Context-Based Association Manager

The context-based node manager is generally a program module inexemplary code 525 that is responsible for incorporating context data aspart of management operations to provide an enhanced data foundationupon which visibility of the nodes may be provided. In some examples,the context-based node manager may be implemented as part of theserver-side association manager while other examples may implement thecontext-based node manager as a separate program module.

In one example, the enhanced data foundation relies upon context data,such as context data 560 (e.g., scan data 570, historic data 575,shipment data 580, layout data 585, and other third party contextualdata providing information regarding the conditions and environmentsurrounding an item and ID node moving from one location to another).Such context data (e.g., the network know-how, building layouts, andoperational knowledge of nodes and shipping paths used with the wirelessnode network) may provide the enhanced building blocks that allow theserver 100 to manage tracking and locating of nodes in a robustlyenriched contextual environment. In an example, context-based managementprovides visibility to the system through data analysis for when and howassociations should be expected as the nodes travel through the wirelessnode network. In other examples, it may provide the foundation forbetter understanding RF signal degradation, which can be caused by theoperating environment, packaging, package content, and/or other packagesrelated to an item and its ID node

Security Manager

The security manager module, which may be implemented separately or aspart of the association manager module in exemplary server control andmanagement code 525, helps with associating two nodes in the wirelessnode network by managing aspects of secure pairing of the nodes. In oneexample, security manager module provides the appropriate pairingcredentials to allow a node to securely connect to another node. Thus,when a node desires to connect to another node, an example requiresappropriate pairing credentials be generated by the server, provided tothe nodes, and observed within the nodes to allow for a successfulconnection or association of nodes.

In operation, a node (such as master node 1720 a) identifies the addressof the node (such as ID node 120 a) to whom it desires to connect. Withthis address, the node prepares a pairing request and sends the requestto the server 1720. The server 100 operates under the control of thesecurity manager module of the association manager, and determineswhether the requesting node should be connected or otherwise associatedwith the other node. If not, the server does not issue the requestedsecurity credentials. If so and in accordance with the desiredassociation management paradigm set by the association manager of code525, server provides the requested credentials necessary for asuccessful wireless pairing and the establishment of securecommunications between the associated nodes.

Node Update Manager

The exemplary server control and management code 525 may include a nodeupdate manager module that provides updated programming information tonodes within the wireless node network and collects information fromsuch nodes (e.g., shared data 545, sensor data 550). The node updatemodule may be implemented separately or as part of the associationmanager module in exemplary server control and management code 525.

Providing an update to a node's programming may facilitate and enabledistribution of node functions to save power and better manage the nodesas a system. For example, one example may alter the functionalresponsibility of different nodes depending on the context orassociation situation by temporarily offloading responsibility for aparticular function from one node to another node. Typically, the serverdirects other nodes to change functional responsibility. However, insome examples, a master node may direct other nodes to alter functionalresponsibility.

Sharing information between nodes and with server (e.g., via anexemplary node update manager) facilitates collecting information from anode and sharing information with other nodes as part of an associationmanagement function of server 100. For example, one example may collectand share RF scan data (a type of shared data 545), information about anode's location (a type of location data 555), system information aboutdate/time (another type of shared data 545), and sensor measurementscollected from sensor nodes (a type of sensor data 550)

Location Manager

The exemplary server control and management code 525 may include alocation manager module that helps determine and track node locations.In a general example, the location of a node may be determined by thenode itself (e.g., a master node's ability to determine its own locationvia location circuitry 475), by a node associated with that node (e.g.,where a master node may determine the location of an ID node), by theserver itself (e.g., using location information determined by one ormore techniques implemented as part of code 525), and by a combinedeffort of a master node and the server.

In general, an exemplary ID node may be directly or indirectly dependenton a master node to determine its actual physical location. Examples mayuse one or more methodologies to determine node location. For exampleand as more specifically described below, possible methods fordetermining node location may relate to controlling an RF characteristicof a node (e.g., an RF output signal level and/or RF receiversensitivity level), determining relative proximity, consideringassociation information, considering location adjustments for contextinformation and an RF environment, chaining triangulation, as well ashierarchical and adaptive methods that combine various locationmethodologies. Further information and examples of how an exemplarylocation manager module may determine a node's location in accordancewith such exemplary techniques are provided in more detail below.

Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it may alsobe possible to determine what constitutes an actionable location versusactual location based upon contextual information about the item beingtracked. For example, a larger item may require relatively less locationaccuracy than a small item such that operational decisions and statusupdates may be easier implemented with knowledge of context. If the sizeof the item is known, the location accuracy can be tuned accordingly.Thus, if a larger item is to be tracked, or if the system's contextualawareness of it is such that lower location accuracy can be used, astronger signal and thus wider area of scanning may be employed, whichmay help in situations where RF interference or shielding is an issue.

Information Update Manager

The exemplary server control and management code 525 may include aninformation update manager module that provides information related tooperations of the wireless node network and status of nodes. Suchinformation may be provided in response to a request from a deviceoutside the wireless node network (such as user access device 200). Forexample, someone shipping an item may inquire about the current statusof the item via their laptop or smartphone (types of user accessdevices), which would connect to server 100 and request suchinformation. In response, the information update manager module mayservice such a request by determining which node is associated with theitem, gathering status information related to the item (e.g., locationdata, etc.), and provide the requested information in a form that istargeted, timely, and useful to the inquiring entity.

In another example, a user access device may connect to server 100 andrequest particular sensor data from a particular node. In response,information update manager may coordinate with node update manager, andprovide the gathered sensor data 545 as requested to the user accessdevice.

Node Filtering Manager

An example of exemplary server control and management code 525 mayoptionally comprise a node filtering manager, which helps manage thetraffic of nodes with a multi-level filtering mechanism. The filteringessentially sets up rules that limit potential associations andcommunications. An example of such a node filtering management maydefine different levels or modes of filtering for a master node (e.g.,which ID nodes can be managed by a master node as a way of limiting thecommunication and management burdens on a master node).

In one example, a “local” mode may be defined where the ID node onlycommunicates and is managed by the assigned master node at the locationwhere the last wireless node contact back to server 100 and/or wherethird party data indicates the assigned master node and ID node are inphysical and wireless proximity. Thus, for the “local” mode of trafficfiltering, only the assigned master node communicates and processesinformation from a proximately close and assigned ID node.

Moving up to a less restrictive filtering mode, a “regional” mode offiltering may be defined where the ID node may communicate and bemanaged by any master node at the location last reported back to server100 and/or where third party data indicates the ID node is located.Thus, for the “regional” mode of traffic filtering, any master node nearthe ID node may communicate and process information from that ID node.This may be useful, for example, when desiring to implement a limit onassociations and pairings to within a particular facility.

At the least restrictive filtering mode, a “global” mode of filteringmay be defined as essentially system-wide communication where the IDnode may be allowed to communicate and be managed by any master node. Inother words, the “global” mode of traffic filtering allows any ID nodewithin the wireless node network to communicate information through aparticular master node near the ID node may communicate and processinformation from that ID node.

Thus, with such exemplary filtering modes, an ID node in a certaincondition (e.g., distress, adverse environmental conditions, adverseconditions of the node, etc.) may signal the need to bypass anyfiltering mechanism in place that helps manage communications andassociation by using the “Alert” Status Flag. In such an example, thiswould operate to override any filtering rules set at the Master Nodelevel in order to allow an ID node to be “found” and connect to anothernode.

Thus, exemplary server 100 is operative, when executing code 525 andhaving access to the types of data described above, to manage the nodes,collect information from the nodes, store the collected information fromthe nodes, maintain or have access to context data related to theenvironment in which the nodes are operating, and provide informationabout the nodes (e.g., status, sensor information, etc.) to a requestingentity.

Node Communication & Association Examples

To better illustrate how exemplary management and communicationprinciples may be implemented within an exemplary wireless node network,FIGS. 8-12 provide several examples of how exemplary components of thewireless node network may generally communicate (advertising &scanning), associate, and exchange information during different types ofoperations in various examples. FIGS. 22A-C also provide a more detailedapplication of such exemplary association and communication activitieswhen an exemplary ID node moves along a transit path (e.g., through acorridor) and is tracked and managed by different master nodes and aserver in an example.

Node Advertising Cycle Example

As generally explained above, a node may have several different types ofadvertising states in which the node may be connectable with other nodesand may communicate with other nodes (such as when a master nodeimplementing an autonomous controller within an exemplary MALVT botapparatus detects other nodes (e.g., an ID node implemented with anelevator or actuated door) and wants to connect to such other nodes andsecurely communicate with such other nodes). And as a node moves withina wireless node network, the node's state of advertising and connectionmay change as the node disassociates with a previously connected node,associates with a new node, or finds itself not associated with othernodes. In some situations, a node may be fine and in normal operationnot be connected or associated with another node. However, in othersituations, a node may raise an issue with potentially being lost if ithas not connected with any other node in a very long period of time. Assuch, a node may go through different types of advertising states inthese different operational situations.

Generally, a node may be in a state where it is not connectable withother nodes for a certain period of time (also referred to as anon-connectable interval). But later, in another state, the node maywant to be connected and advertises as such for a defined connectableperiod (also referred to as a connectable interval). As the nodeadvertises to be connected, the node may expect to be connected at somepoint. In other words, there may be a selectable time period withinwhich a node expects to be connected to another node. However, if thenode is not connected to another node within that period of time(referred to as an Alert Interval), the node may need to take specificor urgent action depending upon the circumstances. For example, if anode has not been connected to another node for 30 minutes (e.g., anexample alert interval), the node may change operation internally tolook “harder” for other nodes with which to connect. More specifically,the node may change its status flag from an Alert Level 0 (no issue,operating normal) to Alert Level 2 in order to request that anyavailable master node acknowledge receipt of the advertisement packetbroadcasted by the node seeking a connection.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating exemplary advertising states (orinformation exchange and node connectability states) and factorsinvolved in transitions between the states by an exemplary ID node in awireless node network. Referring now to FIG. 8, three exemplary statesfor a node are illustrated as part of an exemplary advertising cycle forthe node—namely, an ID Node Non-Connectable Advertising state 805, an IDNode Discoverable Advertising state 815, and an ID Node GeneralAdvertising state 830. Transitions between these states will depend onfactors related to expirations of the types of intervals describedabove. In an example, the duration of each of these intervals willdepend upon the system implementation and the contextual environmentwithin which the ID node is operating. Such time intervals may, forexample, be set by server 100 as part of data (e.g., profile data,association data, context data) provided to the node when updating thenode and managing operations of the node.

Referring to the example illustrated in FIG. 8, an exemplary ID node mayhave an alert interval set at, for example, 30 minutes, and be in IDNode Non-Connectable Advertising state 805 with a non-connectableinterval set at 5 minutes. In state 805, the ID node may broadcast oradvertise, but is not connectable and will not receive a SCAN_REQmessage (a type of request for more information sent to the advertisingnode from another node). Thus, the ID node in state 805 in this examplemay advertise in a non-connectable manner for at least 5 minutes butexpects to be connected within 30 minutes.

If the alert interval has not yet elapsed (factor 810) and thenon-connectable interval is still running (factor 825), the ID nodesimply stays in state 805. However, if the alert interval has notelapsed (factor 810) and the non-connectable interval elapses (factor825), the ID node will enter a mode where it wants to try to connect toanother node for a period of time (e.g., a 1 minute connectableinterval) and will move to the ID Node General Advertising state 830 inthe exemplary advertising cycle of FIG. 8. In state 830, as long as theconnectable interval is running, the ID node will stay in this statewhere it is connectable to another node and will receive SCAN_REQ typesof requests from other nodes in response to the advertising packets theID node is broadcasting. However, when the connectable interval (e.g.,the 1 min period) elapses or expires (factor 835), the ID node returnsback to the Non-connectable Advertising state 805 for either the nexttime the non-connectable interval elapses (and the ID node again triesto connect in state 830) or the alert interval finally elapses (and theID node finds itself in a situation where it has not connected toanother node despite its efforts to connect in state 830).

When the alert interval finally elapses (factor 810), the ID node movesto the ID Node Discoverable Advertising state 815. Here, the ID node isnot yet connectable but will receive a SCAN_REQ type of request fromother nodes in response to advertising packets the ID node isbroadcasting. In this state 815, the exemplary ID node may alter itsstatus flag to indicate and reflect that its alert interval has expiredand that the node is now no longer in normal operation. In other words,the ID node may change the status flag to a type of alert status beingbroadcasted to indicate the ID node urgently needs to connect withanother node. For example, the status flag of the advertising packetbroadcast by the ID node may be changed to one of the higher AlertLevels depending on whether the node needs to upload data (e.g., AlertLevel 3 status) or synchronize timer or other data with another node(e.g., Synchronize status). With this change in status flag, and the IDnode in state 815 broadcasting, the ID node awaits to receive a requestfrom another node that has received the broadcast and requested moreinformation via a SCAN_REQ message (factor 820) sent to the ID node fromthat other node. Once a SCAN_REQ message has been received by the IDnode (factor 820), the ID node that went into the alert mode because ithad not connected with another node within the alert interval canconnect with that other node, upload or share data as needed, and thenshift back to state 805 and restart the alert interval andnon-connectable intervals.

Master Node to ID Node Association Example

Advertising (broadcasting) and scanning (listening) are ways nodes maycommunicate during association operations. FIGS. 9-12 provide examplesof how network elements of a wireless node network (e.g., ID nodes,master nodes, and a server) may communicate and operate when connectingand associating as part of several exemplary wireless node networkoperations.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a wireless nodenetwork during an exemplary master-to-ID node association. Referring nowto FIG. 9, exemplary master node M1 910 a is illustrated withincommunication range of exemplary ID node A 920 a. Master node M1 910 aalso has a communication path back to server 900. As shown, master nodeM1 910 a is in a scanning or listening mode (e.g., indicated by the“M1_(scan)” label) while ID node A 920 a is in an advertising orbroadcasting mode (e.g., indicated by the “A_(adv)” label). In thisexample, M1 master node 910 a has captured the address of ID node A 920a through A's advertising of at least one advertising data packet, andhas reported it to the server 900. In this manner, the capturing andreporting operations effectively create a “passive” association betweenthe nodes and proximity-based custodial control. Such an association maybe recorded in the server, such as server 900, as part of associationdata, such as association data 540.

In another example, passive association between a master node and IDnode may be extended to an “active” association or connection. Forexample, with reference to the example shown in FIG. 9, server 900 mayinstruct master node M1 910 a to associate, connect, or otherwise pairwith ID node A 920 a, and forwards the required security information(e.g., PIN credentials, security certificates, keys) to master node M1910 a. Depending on the advertising state of ID node A 920 a, ID node A910 a may only be visible (discoverable) but not connectable. In such asituation, the master node M1 910 a must wait until ID node A 920 a isin a connectable state (e.g., the ID Node General Advertising state) andcan be paired. As discussed above with reference to FIG. 8, each ID nodehas a certain time window during each time period where it can be pairedor connected.

In this example, when the ID node A 920 a is successfully paired withmaster node M1 910 a, ID node A 920 a may no longer advertise itsaddress. By default, only an unassociated device will advertise itsaddress. A paired or associated node will only advertise its address ifinstructed to do so.

ID Node to ID Node Association Example

In various examples, an ID node may associate with or connect to otherID nodes. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of awireless node network during an exemplary ID-to-ID node association.Referring now to FIG. 10, exemplary master node M1 910 a, ID node A 920a, and server 900 are similarly disposed as shown in FIG. 9, but withthe addition of ID node B 920 b, which is within communication range ofID node A 920 a. In this example, ID node A 920 a is running in query(scan) mode (e.g., A_(scan)) listening for ID node B 920 b. When ID nodeA 910 a detects ID node B 920 b advertising (e.g., B_(adv)) with one ormore advertising data packets as part of an advertised message from IDnode B 920 b, ID node A 920 a identifies a status flag from the messageindicating ID node B 920 b has, for example, data (e.g., sensor data350) for upload. As a result, ID node A 920 a logs the scan result(e.g., as a type of association data 340) and, when next connected tomaster node M1 910 a, ID node A 920 a uploads the captured scan loginformation to the server 900. In this manner, the ID node scanning,capturing, and reporting operations effectively create a “passive”association between the different ID nodes. Such a passive associationmay be recorded in the server 900 as part of association data 540.

In another example, passive association between two ID nodes may beextended to an “active” association or connection. For example, withreference to the example shown in FIG. 10, based upon the capturedstatus flag and uploaded information about ID node B 920 b under thatmode, the server 900 may issue a request to ID node A 920 a throughmaster node M1 910 a to actively connect or pair with ID node B 920 bfor the purpose of downloading information from ID node B 920 b. In oneexample, security credentials that authorize the active connectionbetween ID node A 920 a and ID node B 920 b are downloaded to ID node A920 a from master node M1 910 a, which received them from server 900. Inanother example, the requisite security credentials may have beenpre-staged at ID node A 920 a. And rather than rely upon an ID node toID node connection, master node M1 may have connected directly with IDnode B 920 b if M1 was within communication range of ID node B 920 b.

Information Query ID Node to Master Node Example

An exemplary ID Node may also issue queries to other nodes, both masternodes and ID nodes. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating exemplarycomponents of a wireless node network during an exemplary ID-to-masternode query. Referring now to FIG. 11, a similar group of nodes as shownin FIG. 9 appears, except that exemplary master node M1 910 a is in anadvertising or broadcasting mode (e.g., M1_(adv)) while ID node A 920 ais in a scanning mode (e.g., A_(scan)). In this configuration, ID node A920 a may query master node M1 910 a for information. In one example,the query may be initiated through the ID node setting its status flag.The requested information may be information to be shared, such as acurrent time, location, or environmental information held by the masternode M1 910 a.

In a passive association example, ID node A 920 a in A_(scan) mode mayhave captured the address of master node M1 910 a. However, since an IDnode cannot directly connect to the server 900 to request pairingsecurity credentials (e.g., security pin information that authorizes anactive connection between ID node A 920 a and master node M1 910 a), apassive association and corresponding pairing will have been initiatedfrom the master node. In another example, it may be possible for ID nodeA 920 a to have the pairing credentials stored as security data 335 froma previous connection. This would allow ID node A 920 a then to initiatethe active association with master node M1 910 a after a passiveassociation.

Alert Level Advertising Example

As previously noted, a node may enter an alert stage or level in one ormore examples. For example, if a node has not received anacknowledgement from a master node for an advertising packet within aset period (e.g., an Alert Interval as described in some examples), thenode will enter a particular alert stage for more specializedadvertising so that it may be “found” or pass along information. FIG. 12is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a wireless nodenetwork during an exemplary alert advertising mode. Referring now toFIG. 12, a similar group of nodes as shown in FIG. 9 appears, with theaddition of another master node (master node M2 910 b) and another IDnode (ID node B 920 b). Exemplary ID node A 920 a is in an advertisingor broadcasting mode (e.g., A_(adv)) while nodes M1, M2, and B are eachin scanning mode (e.g., M1_(scan), M2_(scan), and B_(scan)). In thisexample and configuration as shown in FIG. 12, the status flag in anadvertising message from ID node A 920 a has been set to a particularalert level (e.g., Alert Level 2) in the header of the message,requesting any nearby master node to acknowledge it. In one example,this mode may be entered if ID node A 920 a has not connected withanother node for a set period or time. In another example, ID node A 920a may enter this specialized advertising mode upon received instructions(e.g., from server 900 or another nearby node) or a triggered condition(other than time), such as when a sensor input (such as light) isdetected or otherwise registered and the node issues continuous updatesof its address as a security feature. The ID node A 920 a set at thisalert level and in this specialized advertising mode is thus set in anactive pairing mode, waiting for pairing credentials.

From a passive association perspective, any node in scanning mode canpassively associate with such an advertising node (e.g., ID node A 920 ain this alert mode). Thus, in an example, the Alert Level 2 status flagin the advertising header broadcast by ID node A 920 a indicates thaturgent and active intervention is requested, rather than merelypassively associate without an active connection.

From an active association perspective, any node that uploads thespecial advertising header of ID node A 920 a may be forwarded thesecurity credentials from the server 900. This would allow for the nodereceiving such credentials to actively associate or pair with ID node A920 a.

Node Location Determination Methodologies

As part of managing and operating a wireless node network in accordancewith one or more examples of the invention, a node may determine its ownlocation or the location of another node. FIGS. 13-16 provide someexemplary diagrams illustrating some methods in which a node's locationmay be determined. Some nodes, as noted above, include locationcircuitry and can self-locate using, for example, GPS positioning, Wi-Fitriangulation, and the like. And as explained above, an exemplary IDnode may be directly or indirectly dependent on a master node (which canself-locate) to determine its location. In the examples discussed anddescribed herein, a location of a node may generally encompass a currentor past location. For example, an example that determines a node'slocation may be a current location if the node is not moving, but maynecessarily determine the location as a past location should the node bein a state of motion.

Likewise, the term location alone may include a position with varyingdegrees of precision. For example, a location may encompass an actualposition with defined coordinates in three-dimensional space, but use ofthe term location may also include merely a relative position. Thus, theterm location is intended to have a general meaning unless otherwiseexpressly limited to a more specific type of location.

Determining node location may done by a master node alone, the serveralone, or the master node working together with the server. And on suchdevices, examples may use one or more methodologies to determine anode's location and further refine the location. Such examplemethodologies may include, but are not limited to, determining nodelocation may relate to controlling an RF characteristic of a node (e.g.,an RF output signal level and/or RF receiver sensitivity level),determining relative proximity, considering association information,considering location adjustments for context information and an RFenvironment, chaining triangulation, as well as hierarchical andadaptive methods that combine various location methodologies. A moredetailed description of these exemplary node location determinationtechniques is provided below.

Location Through Proximity

In one example, a signal strength measurement between two or more nodesmay be used to determine the proximity of the nodes. If neither node'sactual location is known, one example may infer a location relationshipof the two nodes through proximity.

Proximity When Varying Power Characteristics

For example, an exemplary method of determining a node's location in awireless node network of nodes may involve varying a node's powercharacteristic, such as the output power of one of the nodes. Generallyand as explained with reference to FIG. 13, the power characteristic maybe varied to identify closer ones of the nodes to the node broadcasting.The node broadcasting may transmit one or a series of signals whileother nodes may report receiving one or more of the signals. Those othernodes that receive at least one signal broadcast from the transmittingnode may be deemed part of a close group of nodes. And as the powercharacteristic is varied (increased or decreased or both), a closestgroup of nodes (or single node) may be identified as the smallest groupof nodes of those that receive at least one signal from the broadcastingnode. Accordingly, while not absolute, a type of location for thebroadcasting node may be determined based on the closest one or group ofnodes. This may be repeated for neighboring nodes to yield a set ofclosest node information for each of the nodes. In more detail, anexemplary set of closest node information for each of the nodes mayinclude which nodes are closest (via the lowest power characteristic)and more robustly supplement this information with which other nodes areincrementally further away (via increasingly larger powercharacteristics). Thus, the set of closest node information provides thebasis for a determination of how close the nodes in the network are toeach other, which provides a type of location determination for eachnode.

Additionally, context data may be referenced in certain examples tofurther enhance determining how close the nodes are to each other. Forexample, combining the set of closest node information with contextdata, such as scan information that registers when an item changescustodial control in a delivery system, may further refine how todetermine the location of the nodes. Scan and other context informationwill help determine if one or more of the nodes, for example, are knownto be in the same container, vehicle or moving on a belt together. Thus,this type of context data may be integrated into a further step ofrefining how close the nodes are to each other based upon the contextdata.

In general, a location of a node based upon proximity may be determinedwhen a power characteristic of nodes is changed or varied in a wirelessnode network. An exemplary method of doing so may being with instructinga first of the nodes to vary the power characteristic for one or moresignals broadcast by the first node. In a more detailed example, such aninstruction may cause the first node, for example, to incrementallydecrease or incrementally increase the power characteristic (such as anoutput power level) between values.

Next, the method continues by identifying a first group of other nodesin the wireless node network that are near the first node based uponthose of the other nodes that received at least one of the signalsbroadcast by the first node as the first node varies the powercharacteristic. In a further example, this step may incrementallyidentifying which of the first group of other nodes are receiving atleast one of the broadcast signals as the first node incrementallyvaries the output power level of the signals broadcast. Theincrementally identified nodes may be deemed a set of increasingly closenodes to the first node.

The method then continues by identifying a closest one or more of theother nodes as a smallest group of the other nodes that received atleast one of the one or more signals broadcast by the first node as thefirst node varies the power characteristic.

The method then concludes by determining a location of the first nodebased upon the closest one or more of the other nodes. Thus, as thepower characteristic is varied, the group of nodes that have received atleast one of the signals broadcast by the first node may change and thesmallest such group being a closest group of nodes (even if just onenode) to the first node. In a more detailed example, the final step maycomprise determining the location of the first node based upon theclosest one or more of the other nodes and the set of increasingly closenodes to the first node as the set of increasingly close nodes providesmore detailed proximity information for a refined locationdetermination.

For example, referring to FIG. 14, the set of increasingly close nodesto the ID node F 920 f may include node M3 as being farthest away and M1being closer than M3. When the power characteristic of ID node Fincrementally decreases, and its output power level changes from P1 toP2, M3 can no longer receive the signal, but M1 and M2 still do. And asthe power characteristic of ID node F continues to incrementallydecrease, and its output power level is changed from P2 to P3, M1 can nolonger receive the signal, but only M2 does as the last of the nodesclosest to ID node F. Thus, in this example, determining the location ofID node F may be based upon the fact that M2 is the closest node and theset of increasingly close nodes include M1 and M3 with M1 being closerthan M3.

In another example, one or more further refinements to the first nodeslocation may be performed. In one example, the method's steps may berepeated where a second of the nodes is instructed to vary the powercharacteristic for one or more signals broadcast by the second node, andthen the method may further refine the location of the first node basedupon a location of the second node. In a more detailed example, themethod's steps may be repeated where a second of the nodes is instructedto vary the power characteristic for one or more signals broadcast bythe second node, and then the method may further the location of thefirst node based upon a location of the second node and a set ofincreasingly close nodes to the second node. With this increasinglycross-related information on what nodes are closer to other nodes and towhat degree, which may be further repeated for additional nodes,examples may further refine the location of the first node within thenetwork.

This method may further include determining context data related to thefirst node, and refining the location of the first node based upon thecontext data. In an example where the power characteristic is outputpower level, the incremental changes in the output power level of thebroadcast signal may be set according to the context data.

This method may also determine the context data to be related to theclosest node to the first node, and refine the location of the firstnode based upon the context data. In still another example, this methodmay determine the context data to be related to the incrementallyidentified nodes in the set of increasingly close nodes to the firstnode, and refining the location of the first node based upon the contextdata. For example, the closest node and the set of increasingly closenodes may have scan data that indicate they are within the samecontainer. This exemplary context data may be used to further refine thelocation of the node being located, which may help efficiently determinethat node is near the container. As such, those skilled in the willappreciate that context data for the node being located as well as nodesidentified to be close to that node may provide relevant input toadvantageously help further refine the location of the node.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a location method asdisclosed and explained above in various examples may be implemented ona server apparatus, such as server 100 illustrated in FIG. 5, runningone or more parts of server control and management code 525 (e.g., thelocation manager). Such code may be stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as memory storage 515 on server 100. Thus,when executing code 525, the server's processing unit 500 may beoperative to perform operations or steps from the exemplary methodsdisclosed above and variations of that method.

An example of such a server apparatus may include a server (such asserver 100) operative to communicate with a plurality of nodes in thewireless node network. As explained with respect to FIG. 5, the servergenerally includes a server processing unit, a server volatile memory, aserver memory storage, and at least one communication interface. In thisexample, the volatile memory, memory storage, and communicationinterface are each coupled to the processing unit. The memory storagemaintains at least a program code section and location data related to alocation of one or more of the nodes. The communication interfaceprovides a communication path operatively coupling the server with thenodes.

The server processing unit, as mentioned above, is operative whenrunning the program code section, to perform the steps and operations asdescribed above relative to this method and variations of that methoddescribed above.

Proximity When Observing Signal Patterns and Strengths Over a TimePeriod

In another example, an improved method for determining a node's locationthrough proximity may include analyzing the signal patterns andstrengths between an advertising node and a listening node. In oneexample, a threshold may be set for association based on an observedmessage count and/or recorded signal strength within a specific timeperiod may improve the ability to locate a node (e.g., an ID node) tothat of another node (e.g., a master node). In some examples, theobserved message count may be implemented as an averaged count over arepeated time periods. Further still, other examples may filter outlyingobservations in the observation data set to help improve the quality ofdata relied upon for setting a threshold for association and, as aresult, determine a node's location.

In a more detailed example, an improved method for determining a node'slocation through proximity may show captured advertising message countsas a component for a node's location and determining a node's directionof travel. In this example, two exemplary master nodes (e.g., masternode M1 910 a and M2 910 b) may capture advertising messages from one IDnode (e.g., ID node A 920 a). Master node M1 may observe and capture(e.g., record information related to the observation) 60 messages fromID node A within a 2 minute period, while master node M2 only observesand captures 7 advertising messages from ID node A within that sameperiod. Based upon the difference in how often messages are observedfrom ID node A by master node M1 compared to those observed by masternode M2, the system is able to determine that ID node A would moreproximate to master node M1, and it's known location.

In a further example, comparing the average time stamp of the capturedrecords may allow the system can make a more accurate determination oflocation. For example, if the average captured message found on masternode M2 is increasingly growing larger (e.g., taking longer for messagesto go from ID node A to master node M2), this indicates ID node A ismoving away from master node M2. If the average captured message foundon master node M2 is growing increasingly larger while the averagecaptured message found on master node M1 is increasingly growingsmaller, this indicates ID node A is moving away from master node M2 andtoward master node M1. Thus, over a number of observed time periods, thechange in message timing (transmission to reception) may also be reliedupon to enhance or refine a node's location.

In yet another example, the observed signal strength may be a componentin location determination and estimating direction of travel and mayallow the system can make a more accurate determination of location. Forexample, two master nodes (M1 910 a and M2 920 b) may be capturingadvertising messages from a node (ID node A 920 a). M1 captures 60messages from ID node A within 2 minutes, while M2 captures only 7messages. The average signal strength observed for signals from ID nodeA by master node M1 is higher compared to the average signal strengthobserved by master node M2. Based upon this observed signal strengthinformation, the system would determine that ID node A to be at M1, buta predicted path may indicate ID node A is heading towards M2. As themaster nodes M1 and M2 continue to capture records, the system (e.g.,management code 524 operating on server 900, which is in communicationwith M1 and M2) processes the continued feed of capture records from M1and M2. With this observed signal strength information, the server 900would expect that the count and average signal strength of messages fromID node A over the time period observed (2 minutes) to increase forobservations at M2 and to decrease for observations at M1 when ID node Ais physically moving closer to M2 and away from M1. Thus, the change inobserved powers levels and in how often messages are observed mayindicate actual node movement in an example.

Basing node proximity location and node directional determinations onobserved signal patterns and characteristic strengths over a period oftime has the advantage of reducing the likelihood of unwanted andspurious signal anomalies causing an ID node's location to beincorrectly determined. And the above exemplary methods for determiningmovement characteristics of a node (e.g., moving closer to one node,moving closer to one but away from another, etc.) as part of refiningthe node location may be applied in combination with the variousexamples for determining node location described herein.

In an example, such an improved method based on node proximity locationand node directional determinations on observed signal patterns andcharacteristic strengths over a period of time may begin by instructinga first and a second other nodes to detect any message broadcast fromthe one node over a period of time. The period of time may be set basedupon a variety of factors, such as context data. In more detail, theperiod of time may be dynamically changed based upon context data as theone node moves into different contextual environments.

The method has the server receiving a first indication from the firstother node and receiving a second indication from the second other node.Finally, the method determines a location of the one node based upon adifference in the first indication and the second indication. The firstindication is related to a characteristic of messages broadcast from theone node that are detected by the first other node during the period oftime. Likewise, the second indication is related to the characteristicof messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by the secondother node during the period of time. These indications may include, forexample, a count of messages received by the respective other nodes, atransit time factor (e.g., an average transit time for a message to bedetected after broadcast), and an average signal strength.

In one example, the first indication may be a first count of messagesbroadcast from the one node that are detected by the first other nodeduring the period of time, and the second indication may be a secondcount of messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by thesecond other node during the period of time. As such, determining thelocation of the one node may be the location that is closer to the firstother node than the second other node when the first count is greaterthan the second count. Additionally, the method may further includedetermining an actual node movement direction for the one node basedupon comparing the first count and the second count over a plurality oftime periods. For example, the method may repeat observations overseveral of these time periods and track the first count and second countover time to determine which is increasing, which is decreasing, anddetermine movement of the one node based upon these measurements overtime.

In another detailed example, the first indication may be a first timefactor of messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by thefirst other node during the predetermined time period, and the secondindication may be a second time factor of messages broadcast from theone node that are detected by the second other node during the period oftime. And an actual node movement direction for the one node may bebased upon comparing the first time factor and the second time factor.In a more detailed example, the first time factor may be an averagetransit time for a message detected at the first other node to go fromthe one node to the first other node, and the second time factor is anaverage transit time for a message detected at the second other node togo from the one node to the second other node. As such, determining thelocation of the one node may be that the location is closer to the firstother node than the second other node when the first time factor is lessthan the second time factor.

In yet another example, the first indication may be a first averagesignal strength of messages broadcast from the one node that aredetected by the first other node during the period of time, and thesecond indication may be a second average signal strength of messagesbroadcast from the one node that are detected by the second other nodeduring the period of time. As such, determining the location of the onenode may be that the location is closer to the first other node than thesecond other node when the first average signal strength is greater thanthe second average signal strength.

The improved method described above may also include, in an example,observing a degree of change in the first average signal strength and adegree of change in the second average signal strength over repeatedtime periods, and determining an actual node movement direction for theone node based upon comparing the degree of change in the first averagesignal strength and the degree of change in the second average signalstrength.

In another example, the method may also refine the determined locationof the one node. In this example, the method may further compriserefining the location of the one node based upon at least one of a firstupdated location received from the first other node and a second updatedlocation received from the second other node. For example, when firstother node is a mobile master node and it is the closer of the two nodesto the one node being located, the example can take advantage of thelocation signaling onboard the first other node that provides thecurrent location of the first other node. That current location data maybe transmitted by the first other node to the server to update theserver in its calculation of the location for the one node.

In still another example, the improved method may layer context datawith the determined location to refine the location of the node. Contextdata related to the one node may be determined by the server, and so thelocation of the one node may be refined based upon that context data. Inanother example, context data related to the closer of the first othernode and the second other node when compared to the location of the onenode. For example, the server may be aware that a particular master nodeis closer to the one node compared to a second master node, and that theparticular master node is within a container. With this additionalcontext data related to the particular master node, the server mayrefine the location of the one node based upon the context data. Otherexemplary types of relevant context data may be relied upon whenrefining the location of the one node, such as context data of aparticular shielding associated with the environment near the particularmaster node (e.g., a particular type of ULD having known RF shieldingcharacteristics, etc.).

Additionally, the method may involve looking to see if the one node isbehaving as expected. More specifically, a further example of the methodmay further compare the location of the one node to a predicted path ofthe one node to determine if the one node is located outside thepredicted path. This may allow the server to use learned, historic datawhen creating a predicted path, and keep track of the one node relativeto being within an acceptable range associated with this predicted path.The method may also generate a notification if the one node is outsidethe predicted path. In this manner, actionable tasks can then be takento locate the one node—e.g., changing filter mode options for nodes inthat general area, etc.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such an improved nodelocating method as disclosed and explained above in various examples maybe implemented on a server, such as server 100 illustrated in FIG. 5,running one or more parts of server control and management code 525(e.g., the location manager). Such code may be stored on anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as memory storage 515 onserver 100. Thus, when executing code 525, the server's processing unit500 may be operative to perform operations or steps from the exemplarymethods disclosed above and variations of that method.

Association Driven Locating with Variable RF Characteristics

As noted above, a signal strength measurement between two or more nodesmay be used to determine relative distance between nodes. If one of thenodes has a known location (such as master node M1 910 a), a relativelocation of one or more nodes within a range of the known location nodeis generally a function of how accurate the system may determine adistance between the node with known location and associated nodes. Inother words, an example may identify a relative location of an item andits related node by relying upon association-driven variable low-powerRF output signals to determine a distance the node is from a knownlocation.

Location Determination Through Master Node Advertise

As generally mentioned above, determining node location may relate tocontrolling an RF characteristic of a node (e.g., an RF output signallevel and/or RF receiver sensitivity level) and, more specifically, mayinvolve aspects of controlling master node advertising. FIG. 13 is adiagram illustrating an exemplary location determination using masternode advertise. In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 13, a masternode, such as master node M1 910 a, with a known location isbroadcasting an advertising message at varying RF output power levels.FIG. 13 illustrates the exemplary different RF output power levels asconcentric ranges 1305-1315 about master node M1 910 a. Thus, masternode M1 910 a may broadcast at a maximum power P1, related to range1305, but may control the RF output power level and dynamically changethe RF output power level to P2 and broadcast at a smaller range 1310,or to P3 and broadcast to an even smaller range 1315.

In the illustrated example, receiving ID nodes A-E 920 a-920 e are inquery (scan) mode and can each use the received signal at differentlevels to determine how far away from the transmitting M1 they arelocated. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while theillustrated example shown in FIG. 13 has the receiving nodes all as IDnodes, other examples may have receiving nodes be either master or IDnodes or a mixture.

In the exemplary example of FIG. 13, the location for nodes A-E may bedetermined based upon the known location of master node M1 910 a. Thatlocation, plus a range measurement when each of respective receivingnodes A-E last receives a signal from node M1, and factoring in aconfidence factor of the range measurement, provides a locationdetermination for the nodes according to variable RF signal power.Depending on a quality of the range measurement, the individualreceiving nodes may or may not have an individually calculated location.In yet another example, if third party or context data, such as scaninformation, is available, a refined location may be determined usingsuch data as an additional confidence factor. As the communication rangeof M1 is limited from P1 to P3, the accuracy of location by associationgoes up.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 13, an exemplary method ofdetermining a node's location may be described that uses master nodeadvertising. First, when the master node M1's variable power short rangecommunication interface 480 is set to P1, its maximum output, masternode M1 910 a is seen by each of ID nodes A-E 920 a-920 e. Based uponanalytics or historic measurements, the open air performance (optimalrange) of the radio in M1's variable power short range communicationinterface 480 at P1 power level may have been previously been found tobe approximately 30 feet. Thus, without the need to examine RSSI levelsfrom the individual ID nodes A-E 920 a-920 e and without the need foractive calibration phases, the system may know that ID nodes A-E arewithin 30 feet of master node M1 910 a.

Next, when the master node M1's variable power short range communicationinterface 480 is set to P2, a medium output level in this example,master node M1 is seen by nodes A and B. From previous analytics orhistoric measurements, it was determined the open air performance(optimal range) of the master node M1 's variable power short rangecommunication interface 480 running at P2 power level is approximately15 feet. Thus, without the need to examine RSSI levels from theindividual nodes, we know ID nodes A 920 a and B 920 b are within 15feet of master node M1. Furthermore, we know the ID nodes no longerreceiving the broadcasted RF signal from master node M1 910 a (e.g., IDnodes C 920 c, D 920 d, and E 920 e) are somewhere within 30 feet ofmaster node M1 910 a, but probably more than 15 feet away from M1.

And when the master node M1's variable power short range communicationinterface 480 is set to P3, its minimum output level in this example, itis seen by ID node B 920 b. From previous analytics or historicmeasurements, it was determined the open air performance (optimal range)of the master node M1's variable power short range communicationinterface 480 running at P3 power level is approximately 5 feet. Thus,without the need to examine RSSI levels from the individual ID nodes, weknow the location of ID node B 920 b is within 5 feet of the knownlocation of master node M1 910 a.

The ranging steps, as discussed in the example above, may then berepeated for any of the identified nodes in order to build a moreaccurate picture of the relative location of each node. The granularityof RF characteristic settings (e.g., the RF output signal power levelsetting) will provide more granularity of location differentiation whenperforming the ranging steps. In one example, the ranging steps may beperformed over a set of gross RF characteristics settings (e.g., fewsettings over a wide range), and similar steps may then be performedover more select ranges for the RF characteristics settings.

An example of such a method for location determination using one or moreassociations of nodes in a wireless node network is described below.This method begins where a first of the nodes broadcasts one or morefirst messages at a first anticipated or predicted range distance. Inone example, the first anticipated range distance is an optimal rangefor the first node. For example, the first node's radio in itscommunication interface may have a maximum setting to allow the node tobroadcast at maximized range assuming a clear environment. Such asetting provides a known anticipated range distance. In the example ofFIG. 13, master node M1 910 a may be broadcasting at a maximum powerlevel P1 that reaches a first range distance from node M1. However, ifnode M1 is known to be within an adverse RF shielding environment, thefirst anticipated range distance may be a distance adjusted to accountfor the contextual environment of such shielding (e.g., a type ofcontext data). Anticipated range distances may be adjusted dependingupon one or more types of relevant context (e.g., one or more types ofcontext data related to how an RF output signal from the node may beimpeded).

Next, the method identifies which of the nodes associated with the firstnode received at least one of the first messages. In one example, thefirst node may be able to access and review association data in itsonboard memory storage as part of identifying which are the nodesassociated with it. In one example, the associations with the first nodemay be passive associations (e.g., not actively paired and securelyconnected) or active associations (e.g., actively paired and able tosecurely connect and share data), or a combination of both types ofassociations.

Next, the first node broadcasts one or more second messages at a secondanticipated range distance, which is incrementally smaller than thefirst anticipated range distance. In the example of FIG. 13, master nodeM1 910 a may be the first node and now is broadcasting at a medium powerlevel P2 that reaches a second anticipated range distance from node M1.By incrementally changing the RF power level in this manner, master nodeM1 910 a now no longer can reach nodes C-E as shown in FIG. 13.

The method then concludes by determining a location of one or more ofthe identified associated nodes that did not receive any of the secondmessages but received at least one of the first messages, where thelocation is between the first and second anticipated range distancesfrom the first node. Again, in the example of FIG. 13, master node M1910 a may determine the location of nodes C-E (given they did notreceive the message sent out the second anticipated range distance at RFpower level P2) to between the first anticipated range distance (whenmaster node M1 was broadcasting at power level P1) and the secondanticipated range distance (when master node M1 was broadcasting atpower level P2) from the known location of master node M1.

In one example, the method may also have the first node broadcasting oneor more third messages at a third anticipated range distance(incrementally smaller range than the second anticipated rangedistance), and determining a location of one or more of the identifiedassociated nodes that did not receive any of the third messages butreceived at least one of the second messages, where the location isapproximately near the second anticipated range distance from the firstnode. Again, in the example of FIG. 13, by incrementally changing thepower level down to P1 and broadcasting a third message at ananticipated range distance for that P1 level, the master node M1 candetermine the location of node A (as node A received the second messagebut did not receive the third message) to be approximately near theanticipated range distance for P2 from the location of master node M1.

Additional examples of the method may also refine such determinedlocations by updating the location of the first node. In one example,the first node may be a mobile node. As such, refining may involvedetermining a current mobile location of the first node, and refiningthe location of the one or more of the identified associated nodes thatdid not receive any of the second messages but received at least one ofthe first messages based upon the current mobile location of the firstnode. Thus, as the first node moves and updates its own location (e.g.,via GPS signals received by location circuitry 475 on a master node),the first node is able to leverage its own updated location andadvantageously refine the location of nodes associated with it.

And, in some examples, the refined location of associated nodes may betransmitted to a server. This provides an update to the server, and aidsin tracking and managing the location of nodes in the network. Again,referring back to the example of FIG. 13, master node M1 910 a may takeadvantage of such a method for locating associated nodes, such as thelocations of ID nodes A-E 920 a-920 e, and update server 100 with thisnew location data related to the current location of node M1 and any ofthe nodes associated with node M1.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this exemplary method asdisclosed and explained above in various examples may be implemented ona node (e.g., master node 1720 a in FIG. 4, master node M1 910 a in FIG.13) running one or more parts of master control and management code 425(e.g., the location aware/capture module). Such code may be stored on anon-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory storage 415 onmaster node 1720 a. Thus, when executing code 425, the master node'sprocessing unit 400 may be operative to perform operations or steps fromthe exemplary methods disclosed above and variations of that method.

In another example, a node apparatus is described in a wireless nodenetwork that uses location determination by association as describedwith reference to the steps related to the above-described method. Asmentioned above, such as node apparatus may be implemented with a masternode having a node processing unit, a node volatile memory, a nodememory storage, and a first and second communication interface. Each ofthe memories and communication interfaces are coupled to the nodeprocessing unit. Further, the node memory storage maintains at least aprogram code section, association data, and location data and, at times,shipping information. The first communication interface provides a firstcommunication path operatively coupling the node with a plurality ofother nodes in the network, while the second communication interfaceprovides a second communication path operatively and separately couplingthe node with a server in the network.

In this example, the node processing unit is operative to transmit oneor more first messages via the first communication interface at a firstanticipated range distance, and identify which of the others nodes thatare associated with the first node received at least one of the firstmessages. In one example, the node processing unit may be operative toaccess the association data in the node memory storage when identifyingwhich of the nodes associated (e.g., passive, active, or both types ofassociations) with the first node received at least one of the firstmessages.

The first anticipated range distance may be an optimal transmissionrange for the first communication interface and, in a more detailedexample, may be adjusted based upon context data (e.g., RF shieldinginherent from the surrounding environment of the node). In yet anotherexample, the first anticipated range distance and the second anticipatedrange distance may be adjusted based upon one or more types of contextdata related to how an RF output signal transmit from the firstcommunication interface may be impeded by an environment of the node.

The node processing unit is also operative to transmit one or moresecond messages via the first communication interface at a secondanticipate range distance (incrementally smaller than the firstanticipated range distance) and determine a location of one or more ofthe identified associated nodes that did not receive any of the secondmessages but received at least one of the first messages. That locationis between the first anticipate range distance from a known location ofthe node and the second anticipated range distance from the knownlocation of the node. In a further example, the node processing unit maybe operative to store the determined location in the node memory storageas part of the location data.

The node processing unit may also be operative to transmit one or morethird messages via the first communication interface at a thirdanticipated range distance (incrementally smaller range than the secondanticipated range distance) and determine a location of one or more ofthe identified associated nodes that did not receive any of the thirdmessages but received at least one of the second messages, where thelocation is between the second anticipated range distance from the knownlocation of the node and the third anticipated range distance from theknown location of the node.

In another example, the node may be mobile and the node processing unitmay be further operative to refine the location of the one or more ofthe identified associated nodes that did not receive the second messagebut received the first message by updating a location of the first node.In more detail, the node processing unit may be operative to determine acurrent mobile location of the first node (e.g., check with locationcircuitry onboard the node for valid GPS signals and a location lockbased on such signals), and refine the location of the one or more ofthe identified associated nodes that did not receive any of the secondmessages but received at least one of the first messages based upon thecurrent mobile location of the first node. The node processing unit mayalso be operative to transmit the refined location to the server overthe second communication interface.

Location Determination through ID Node Advertise

While FIG. 13 provides an example of location determination throughmaster node advertising, FIG. 14 focuses on location determinationthrough ID node advertising. In particular, FIG. 14 is a diagramillustrating an exemplary location determination using ID nodeadvertise. In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 14, exemplary IDnode F 920 f is in an advertising mode but is without a known location.As with FIG. 13, FIG. 14 illustrates the exemplary different RF outputpower levels from ID node F 920 f as concentric ranges 1405-1415 aboutID node F 920 f Thus, ID node F 920 f may broadcast at a maximum powerP1, related to range 1405, but may control the RF output power level anddynamically change the RF output power level to P2 and broadcast at asmaller range 1410, or to P3 and broadcast to an even smaller range1415. Master nodes M1-M3 910 a-910 c are disposed in various knownlocations relatively near ID node F 920 f, which has an unknownlocation. As such, ID node F 920 f may take advantage of the ability toadjust an RF characteristic, such as RF output signal power level, ofits own short-range communication interface as part of how the systemmay determine location of ID node F through ID node advertising.

In the illustrated example, an RF output signal power level of ID node F920 f may be varied or dynamically adjusted via programmable settings(such as profile settings or parameters) related to operations ofvariable power short range communication interface 375. Additionally,while an actual communication range may vary with the surroundingenvironment, a maximum anticipated communication range of the ID node'stransmitter at each power level is known assuming an optimal operatingenvironment or no substantial RF shielding or interference. Thus, aparticular power level setting for a broadcasting node is inherentlyassociated with a corresponding anticipated range distance.

In an exemplary method of determining a nodes location using ID nodeadvertising, the RF output signal power level may be varied acrossmultiple power levels to improve location through master nodeassociation. In more detail, when the ID node F's variable power shortrange communication interface 375 is set to P1, its maximum output, IDnode F 920 f is seen by each of master nodes M1-3 910 a-910 c. Theanticipated open air performance or range distance (optimal range, orrange based upon analytics or historic measurements) of the radio in IDnode F's variable power short range communication interface 375 at P1power level may have been previously been found to be approximately 30feet. Thus, without any examination of RSSI levels from the individualmaster nodes, the system knows ID Node F is within 30 feet of masternodes M1-M3.

Next, when the ID node F's variable power short range communicationinterface 375 is set to P2, a medium output level in this example, IDnode F 920 f is seen by master nodes M1 910 a and M2 910 b. Theanticipated open air performance or range distance (optimal range, orrange based upon analytics or historic measurements) of the radio in IDnode F's variable power short range communication interface 375 atrunning at P2 power level is approximately 15 feet. Thus, without anyexamination of RSSI levels from the individual nodes, we know masternodes M1 910 a and M2 910 b are within 15 feet of ID node F 920 f inthis example. Furthermore, we know the master node no longer receivingthe broadcasted RF signal from ID node F 920 f (e.g., master node M3 910c) is somewhere within 30 feet of ID node F 920 f, but probably morethan 15 feet away from node F in this example.

And when ID node F's variable power short range communication interface375 is set to P3, its minimum output level in this example, ID node F920 f is seen by only master node M2 910 b. The anticipated open airperformance or range distance (optimal range, or range based uponanalytics or historic measurements) of the radio in ID node F's variablepower short range communication interface 375 at P3 power level isapproximately 5 feet. Thus, without any examination of RSSI levels fromthe master nodes, we know the location of ID node F 920 f is within 5feet of the known location of master node M2 910 b in this example.

The ranging steps with respect to the changed RF characteristics of anadvertising ID node, as discussed in the example above, may then berepeated for any of the identified nodes in order to building a morecomplete picture of the relative location of each node.

Furthermore, the timing between such ranging steps may vary dynamicallydepending upon whether the node is moving. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that when moving, a quicker flow through such ranging stepswill help to provide better accuracy given the movement of nodes. Thus,the time interval between instructing a node to broadcast one or moremessages at a particular power level and then instructing that node tobroadcast one or more messages at a different power level may be desiredto be shorter when the node is moving, which can be determined basedupon context data. For example, the context data may indicate the nodeis within a node package an on a moving conveyor system. As such, thenode is moving relative to fixed master nodes that may be positionedalong the conveyor system. Thus, server may have the first node performthe ranging steps where power is varied in relative quick successioncompared to a situation where the context data indicates the node is notmoving or is substantially stationary.

An example of such a method for location determination using one or moreassociations of nodes in a wireless node network is described asfollows, and explains a particular way to locate a node usingassociations and master node one or more master node advertisingtechniques. The example method begins by instructing a first of thenodes to broadcast one or more first messages at a first power level,the first power level being related to a first anticipated rangedistance. In one example, the first anticipated range distance may be anoptimal range for the first of the nodes (e.g., a transmission rangethat assumes there are no obstructions and a clear signal path betweennodes). In another example, the first anticipated range distance may bean optimal range for the first node adjusted based upon context data(e.g., data related to the surrounding RF environment of the firstnode).

Next, the method identifies which of the nodes associated with the firstnode have known locations. For example, this type of identification maybe accomplished by reviewing association data that indicates which ofthe nodes are associated with the first node (e.g., via passiveassociation, via active association, or via a combination of both),determining which of the nodes are associated with the first node basedupon the reviewed association data, and identifying which of thoseassociated nodes have known locations.

The method continues by determining which of the identified associatednodes received at least one of the first messages. Next, the methodinstructs the first node to broadcast one or more second messages at asecond power level, where the second power level is related to a secondanticipated range distance and the second power level incrementallysmaller than the first power level. In a further example, the firstanticipated range distance and the second anticipated range distance maybe adjusted based upon one or more types of context data related to howan RF output signal from the first node may be impeded.

The method then determines which of the identified associated nodesreceived at least one of the second messages. The method concludes bydetermining a location of the first node to be at or between the firstanticipated range distance and the second anticipated range distancefrom each of the identified associated nodes that did not receive atleast one of the second messages but received at least one of the firstmessages.

As mentioned above, determining the node's location may be improved whenaccounting for movement. As such, an example of this method may instructthe first node to broadcast the one or more second messages within atime interval after instructing the first node to broadcast the one ormore first messages. The time interval may be predetermined in someimplementations, but also may be a dynamically set parameter in otherimplementations based upon context data related to the first node. Inmore detail, the time interval may be reduced from a prior value whenthe context data related to the first node indicates the first node ismoving, but may be increased from a prior value when the context datarelated to the first node indicates the first node is substantiallystationary.

In another example, the method may further include instructing the firstnode to broadcast one or more third messages at a third power level.Such a third power level is related to a third anticipated rangedistance and incrementally smaller range than the second anticipatedrange distance. Thereafter, the method may determining the location ofthe first node to be at or between the second anticipated range distanceand the third anticipated range distance from each of the identifiedassociated nodes that did not receive any of the third messages butreceived at least one of the second messages.

In another example, the method may comprise refining the location of thefirst node with an updated location of one or more of the identifiedassociated nodes that did not receive at least one of the secondmessages but received at least one of the first messages. For example,if the first node is associated with a mobile master node, the locationof the first node may be refined with an updated location of the mobilemaster node (which may be closer to the first node than previouslydetermined).

In a further example, the first node in the operation of the methoddescribed above may not be self-aware of its own location. In anotherexample, the first node may have been previously self-aware of thelocation of the first node but may no longer be self-aware of thelocation of the first node prior to broadcasting the one or more firstmessages. In more detail, the first node may no longer be self-aware ofthe location of the first node prior to broadcasting the first messagebecause of a change in the environment surrounding the first node. Sucha change in the environment may be, for example, when the first node hasmoved inside a structure (e.g., building, vehicle, aircraft, container,hallway, tunnel, etc.) that blocks location signals from being receivedby the first node.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a method as disclosedand explained above in various examples may be implemented on a node(e.g., master node 1720 a in FIG. 4) running one or more parts of mastercontrol and management code 425 (e.g., the location aware/capturemodule) to control operations of an ID node (such as ID node F in FIG.14) as part of location determination via ID node advertising. Such codemay be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such asmemory storage 415 on master node 1720 a. Thus, when executing code 425,the master node's processing unit 400 may be operative to performoperations or steps from the exemplary methods disclosed above andvariations of that method.

From an apparatus perspective, an exemplary node apparatus in a wirelessnode network that uses location determination by association maycomprises a node processing unit, node memory coupled to and used by thenode processing unit (e.g., a node volatile memory and a node memorystorage). The node memory storage maintains at least a program codesection, association data, and location data. The node apparatus furtherincludes a first communication interface that provides a firstcommunication path coupled to the node processing unit and operativelycoupling the node with a plurality of other nodes in the network. Forexample, the master node 1720 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes such typesof operational structure.

The node processing unit (e.g., processing unit 400 of master node 1720a), when executing at least the program code section resident in thenode volatile memory, is operative to perform specific functions orsteps. In particular, the node processing unit is operative tocommunicate an instruction to a first of the other nodes (e.g., an IDnode or master node temporarily operating as an ID node) via the firstcommunication interface to cause the first other node to broadcast oneor more first messages at a first power level, where the first powerlevel is related to a first anticipated range distance.

The first anticipated range distance may be an optimal range for thefirst of the nodes and, in more detail, an optimal range for the firstof the nodes adjusted based upon context data. In even more detail, thefirst anticipated range distance and the second anticipated rangedistance may be adjusted based upon one or more types of context datarelated to how an RF output signal broadcast from the first node may beimpeded.

The node processing unit is also operative to identify which of thenodes associated with the first node have known locations. To do this,the node processing unit may access and review association data storedon the node memory storage (e.g., data indicating what nodes arepassively or actively associated with the first other node), maydetermine which of the remaining other nodes are associated with thefirst other node based upon the reviewed association data, and mayidentify which of the remaining other nodes determined to be associatedwith the first other node have known locations.

The node processing unit is also operative to determine which of theidentified associated nodes received at least one of the first messages,and to communicate another instruction via the first communicationinterface to the first node to cause the first node to broadcast one ormore second messages at a second power level, where the second powerlevel being is to a second anticipated range distance and incrementallysmaller than the first power level.

Finally, the node processing unit is operative to determine which of theidentified associated nodes received at least one of the secondmessages, and then determine a location of the first node to be at orbetween the first anticipated range distance and the second anticipatedrange distance from each of the identified associated nodes that did notreceive at least one of the second messages but received at least one ofthe first messages.

In a further example, the node processing unit may be operative tocommunicate a third instruction via the first communication interface tothe first node to cause the first node to broadcast one or more thirdmessages at a third power level. The third power level is related to athird anticipated range distance and incrementally smaller range thanthe second anticipated range distance. Additionally, the node processingunit may then be operative to determine the location of the first nodeto be at or between the second anticipated range distance and the thirdanticipated range distance from each of the identified associated nodesthat did not receive any of the third messages but received at least oneof the second messages.

In still another example, the node processing unit is able to accountfor movement of the first node with a time interval between instructionssent to the first node. In particular, the node processing unit may befurther operative to communicate another instruction via the firstcommunication interface to the first node to broadcast the secondmessages within a time interval after instructing the first node tobroadcast the first messages. In a more detailed example, the timeinterval may be dynamically set based upon context data related to thefirst node. In even more detail, the time interval may beprogrammatically reduced from a prior value when the context datarelated to the first node indicates the first node is moving (e.g., thefirst node is on a moving conveyor system) and/or the time value of theinterval may be increased from a prior value when the context datarelated to the first node indicates the first node is substantiallystationary (e.g., the node is within a node package recently placed in astorage area).

The node processing unit, in a further example, may be operative torefine the location of the first other node with an updated location ofone or more of the identified associated nodes that did not receive atleast one of the second messages but received at least one of the firstmessages, and cause a second communication interface (e.g., medium/longrange communication interface 485 coupled to processing unit 400) totransmit the refined location to the server.

From a server perspective, another exemplary method for locationdetermination using one or more associations of nodes in a wireless nodenetwork is explained as follows. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that while a server may operate to implement the steps aslaid out in the method discussed above, this additional method providesmore details as to how a server processing unit (such as processing unit500 running server code 525) may implement such a method at that levelof the network. In this more detailed example, the server iscommunicating directly with a master node (e.g., a first node) to directand control how the master node interacts with and causes operations tobe undertaken on the ID node (e.g., a second node). Thus, this methodmore precisely calls for communicating with a first node via acommunication interface to cause a second node in the network tobroadcast one or more first messages at a first power level at therequest of the first node, where the first power level is related to andcorresponds with a first anticipated range distance. Likewise, thismethod more precisely calls for communicating with the first node viathe communication interface to cause the second node to broadcast one ormore second messages at a second power level at the request of the firstnode, the second power level being related to a second anticipated rangedistance and incrementally smaller than the first power level. The othersteps from the additional method are similar to those explained aboverelative to the previously-described method, and that the similarprinciples will apply to this additional method.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this additional method asdisclosed and explained above in various examples may be implemented ona server (e.g., server 100 in FIG. 5) running one or more parts ofserver control and management code 525 to direct a master node tocontrol operations of an ID node (such as ID node F in FIG. 14) as partof location determination via ID node advertising. Such code may bestored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memorystorage 515 on server 100. Thus, when executing code 525, the server'sprocessing unit 500 may be operative to perform operations or steps fromthe exemplary methods disclosed above, and variations of that method.

And similar to the node apparatus described above, one example includesan exemplary server apparatus in a wireless node network that useslocation determination by association. The exemplary server apparatusgenerally comprises a server processing unit, server memory coupled toand used by the server processing unit (e.g., a server volatile memoryand a server memory storage). The server memory storage maintains atleast a program code section, association data, and location data. Theserver apparatus further includes a communication interface coupled tothe server processing unit and that provides access to a communicationpath operatively coupling the server with at least a first node in thenetwork.

The exemplary server processing unit, when executing at least theprogram code section resident in the server volatile memory, isoperative to perform specific functions or steps. In particular, theserver processing unit is operative to communicate with the first nodevia the communication interface to cause a second node in the network tobroadcast one or more first messages at a first power level at therequest of the first node, where the first power level is related to afirst anticipated range distance; identify which of the remaining nodesin the network associated with the second node have known locations;determine which of the identified associated nodes received at least oneof the first messages; communicate with the first node via thecommunication interface to cause the second node to broadcast one ormore second messages at a second power level at the request of the firstnode, where the second power level is related to a second anticipatedrange distance and incrementally smaller than the first power level;determine which of the identified associated nodes received at least oneof the second messages; and determine a location of the second node tobe at or between the first anticipated range distance and the secondanticipated range distance from each of the identified associated nodesthat did not receive any of the second messages but received at leastone of the first messages. And in a further example, the serverapparatus' processing unit may be further operative to store thedetermined location in the server memory storage as part of the locationdata.

In another example, the server apparatus' processing unit may beoperative to communicate with the first node via the communicationinterface to cause the second node to broadcast the one or more secondmessages within a time interval after communicating with the first nodeto cause the second node to broadcast the one or more first messages. Aspreviously mentioned, this type of time interval may dynamically setbased upon context data related to the second node. Context data mayalso be used as set forth above with respect to the node apparatus butapplied here to the second node—such was where the first anticipatedrange distance is the optimal range for the second node adjusted basedupon context data.

Master Node Location Determination through Advertise

In another example, a master node typically is self-locating with itsown location circuitry but may no longer know its location under thecurrent environmental conditions. For example, such a situation mayoccur when a master node determines its current location via GPSlocation circuitry 475, but the master node finds itself without accessto an adequate number of GPS signals (e.g., it cannot determine alocation due to the lack of a sufficient number of GPS signals fromdiverse GPS satellites). Such a situation may happen when the masternode moves indoors is proximate to a structure that interferes with thelocation signals.

In an exemplary example where a master node attempts to determine itsown location via advertising techniques, the master node may detect aloss of location confidence (e.g., upon a loss of detected GPS signals;upon detecting a separate signal to processing unit 400 indicating themaster node's location is unknown; when processing unit 400 sensesmovement (e.g., via accelerometers (not shown) or the like) but cannotconfirm that the location circuitry 475 is providing updated locationinformation for the node, etc.). In other words, the master node becomesaware that it no longer has a known location.

Next, the master node responds by beginning to broadcast one or moreadvertising messages in a similar way as ID node F 920 f is described asdoing with respect to FIG. 14. This is done so that the master nodehaving an unknown location can advantageously leverage off the knownlocations of nearby other nodes. As such, an example may allow a type ofleveraged chaining effect whereby known locations of particular types ofnodes may be used to extend location information to other nodes that donot know their locations (e.g., ID nodes) or nodes that have detected aloss of location confidence (e.g., master nodes). Thus, such an examplemay be used to determine an indoor location of a master node (includingequipment equipped with master node functionality) in cases wheresignals for the conventional onboard location circuitry 475 are notavailable.

In the exemplary method, the method may be such that the first node isnot self-aware of the location of the first node. This may happen whenthe first node (e.g., an ID node) is actually a master node that waspreviously self-aware of its own location (e.g., via received GPSsignals) but is no longer self-aware of its location (e.g., when the GPSsignals can no longer be received), which has the master node changingoperation to operate as an ID node prior to broadcasting the firstmessage. In other words, the master node may no longer be self-aware ofits location and begin operating as an ID node for purposes of locationdetermination prior to broadcasting the first message because of achange in the environment surrounding the master node, such as when themaster node has moved inside a structure that blocks location signalsfrom being received by the master node. Thus, an example mayadvantageously allow a node to adaptively alter operations when movingfrom a clear outdoor environment to an indoor environment. And a servermay interact with such a master node while that master node isoperating, for location purposes, as an ID node, temporarily.

Location with Improved RSSI Measurements

In another example, a signal strength measurement between two or morenodes may be used to determine the proximity of the nodes by using oneor more improvements to conventional RSSI measurements. In conventionalRSSI measurements, such as with Bluetooth 4.0, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that adaptive frequency hopping as part of spreadspectrum techniques may cause undesirably cause the signal strength tofluctuate. In other words, the advantage of using frequency hopping andspread spectrum for security and avoidance of interference may have anegative impact on using such signals for stable proximity-basedlocation determinations. Thus, it may be desired to emphasize stabilityof a signal and limits to fluctuation for purposes of locationdetermination.

In one example, a type of improvement for RSSI measurements may includereducing the number of channels and/or a corresponding frequency rangein use during advertising from nodes. For example, a node may haveprocessing unit 300/400 adaptively control variable power short rangecommunication interface 375/480 to reduce the number of channels and/orthe frequency range used during node advertising. Such a dynamic changemay be implemented, in some examples, by altering the content of aparticular type of profile data 330/430, such as an RF profile data thateffectively defines RF characteristics of a node (e.g., frequency, powerlevel, duty cycle, channel numbers, channel spacing, alternativefluctuation modes, etc.). In one further example, a first fluctuationmode may be defined that provides a default or more standardcommunication protocol, such as the conventional frequency hopping,spread spectrum, and channel allocations for Bluetooth® communications.Other alternative modes (one or more) may be defined that alter one ormore RF characteristics to provide increasingly more stable and lessfluctuations of the RF output signal from a node. Thus, a node may bedynamically placed into one or more modes regarding such RFcharacteristics that increasingly emphasize stability of the node's RFoutput signal and limits fluctuation for purposes of enhanced locationdetermination using RSSI measurements.

In another example, a type of improvement for RSSI measurements mayinclude ensuring visibility to and advantageously managing automaticgain control (AGC) circuitry (not shown) that may cause the RF outputsignal to vary for a node. For example, a node may include a type of AGCcircuitry as part of variable power short range communication interface375/480. This type of AGC circuitry may allow node processing unit300/400 or other logic circuitry that is part of variable power shortrange communication interface 375/480 to limit fluctuations undercertain conditions (e.g., when attempting to use RSSI locationdetermination techniques). In this example, different AGC circuitrysettings may be defined in exemplary RF profile data that effectivelydefines RF characteristics of a node (e.g., frequency, power level, dutycycle, channel numbers, channel spacing, alternative fluctuation modes,etc.). This is yet another example of how a node may be dynamicallyplaced into one or more modes regarding such RF characteristics(including AGC circuitry settings) that increasingly emphasize stabilityof the node's RF output signal and limits fluctuation for purposes ofenhanced location determination using RSSI measurements.

Location with Adjustments for Environmental Factors in RF Signal Quality

In general, those skilled in the art will appreciate that environmentalfactors may cause a communication signal, such as an RF signal, tofluctuate or be transmitted and received in a manner that undesirablyvaries depending upon a signal path environment. Passive physicalinterference factors (e.g., forms of electronic signal shielding) may besubstantially close and cause drops in signal strength across the outputranges of the nodes. Additionally, active radio interference factors mayvary across the RF output ranges of the nodes depending upon otheractive devices in the reception vicinity. Thus, the proximateenvironment of a node may have a multitude of adverse factors thatimpact communications and, as a result, the ability to locate the node.

In one example, making location determinations may be enhanced by a dataanalytics type of approach that may adjust and account for different RFenvironmental factors for a similar type of node in a similar type ofsituation. For example, the quality of the RF output signal of aparticular type of node and the corresponding physical range of thatsignal to a receiver of known sensitivity may be determined for a givenenvironment. In this example, the system defines a maximum range of thatsignal based on a predetermined condition, such as open-airconnectivity. This may assume an environment with no signal degradationdue to interference or physical shielding. However, both interferenceand physical shielding may diminish the range of the RF output signal ofa node. In a dynamically adaptive and learning manner, the system maycollect information on how a particular type of node may operate in aparticular environment under certain settings (e.g., reported signalstrengths and corresponding settings for RF output signal power levels).This analysis of a similar environment may be repeated. In other words,through such data analytics of an anticipated environment to be faced bya similar node, signal loss information can be generated and applied asa type of context data (i.e., RF data) for a node in a similarenvironment to refine location determination. Thus, an exemplary examplemay refine location determinations with adaptive signal losscharacteristics based on a contextual appreciation of an anticipatedenvironment (e.g., physical shielding such as packaging, packagecontents, proximate package, proximate package contents, and physicalinfrastructure causing signal variance) without requiring a calibrationphase.

And advantageously combining those data points with 3^(rd) party datadescribing the physical environment, in which the node was located in atthat time, may refine location even further. Such information may beused as RF data (a type of context data) in future efforts to manage andlocate a similar type of node anticipated to be in a similarenvironment.

In more detail, in an example that refines a location determinationbased upon context and data analytics to adjust for known RFimpediments, the maximum physical range of a node's RF output signalrelative to a receiver of known RF sensitivity is determined. In oneexample, this first range value may be referred to as a theoretical ornominal open-air range of a similar type transmitter-receiver node pairin a similar environment but with substantially no physical shielding orsignal interference negatively impacting the signal range. A secondrange value, which may be considered an actual RF range value, may bethe observed range of the signal in a similar environment but wherethere are contextual factors reducing the communication range, includingphysical shielding due to factors like packaging, package contents,proximate package, proximate package contents, physical infrastructure,interference from other radio sources, or shipper specific informationsuch as vehicle or facility layout information. Through access to priordata analysis of the differing range values and with knowledge of theoperational environment of the transmitting node was in (e.g., a similarenvironment to the proximate environment of the node), a refinedlocation may be determined using an approximation of an actual RF outputrange that intelligently adjusts what may be anticipated to be the RFenvironment of the node. In other words, by knowing the appropriatecontextual environment related to a node (such as signal degradationinformation on how a similar node operates in a similar environment), animproved location determination may be made to make intelligent yetefficient adjustments (such as communication distance adjustments) thatprovide a refined location of the node.

In one example, such as the example shown in FIG. 2, master node 1720 bis outside of a container (such as a Uniform Load Device (ULD) container210 known to be used for transporting groups of items on aircraft) thathas an ID node inside the container. A first or theoretical range valuebetween master node 1720 b and ID node 120 b may be determined to be 10feet at a specific RF output power level when the package (and relatedID node) may be known to be less than 10 feet away from the scanningnode (e.g., master node 1720 b). A second range value at similardistances with similar types of nodes, but with incident RF signal lossas a result of communicating through the wall of the container 210, maybe between 4 and 5 feet. If context data, such as 3^(rd) partyinformation or scan data, indicates the transmitting node is within theULD container 210, the system would expect the transmission range to belimited according to the data analytics associated with this known RFimpediment (e.g., characteristics for transmitting through ULD container210), thus reducing the possible scanning nodes that may see thebroadcasting node within the ULD container, or require the transmittingnode to increase its RF output power to be heard.

Related to such a technique, an exemplary method for locationdetermination of a first node in a wireless node network based oncontext data is described as follows. Such a method begins with anetwork device (such as a master node or server) accessing a first typeof the context data related to a proximate environment of the firstnode. The first type of context data comprises signal degradationinformation on how a second node would operate in a similar environmentto the proximate environment of the first node when the second node is asimilar type as the first node. Thus, rather than calibrating with anactual measurement relative to the current proximate environment of thefirst node, the signal degradation information provides compensationinformation on what may be generally anticipated in a more generalproximate environment based on how a similar type of node may operate ina similar environment. As the similar environment of the similar node isgenerally an approximation for what is anticipated to be the proximateenvironment of the first node, this advantageously avoids the need foran actual calibration of the proximate environment.

In one example, the signal degradation information may be based upon adifference in how the second node communicates when exposed to anadverse communication environment (such as a similar environment to theproximate environment of the first node) compared to how the second nodewould communicates when exposed to a nominal communication environment(such as an environment that is unencumbered by shielding andinterference factors). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that anominal communication environment need not be perfectly clear of allinfluences that shield or interfere with communications. The types andaspects of signal degradation information may vary depending on a widevariety of factors. In one example, the signal degradation informationmay be related to at least one of shielding and interference. Thus,signal degradation information may include both passive and activefactors that impact the communication environment.

In another example, the signal degradation environment may be based upona degraded operation of the second node when the similar environment isan adverse communication environment. In more detail, the signaldegradation information may be based upon a difference in how the secondnode communicates when exposed to the adverse communication environmentcompared to how the second node communicates when exposed to asubstantially normal communication environment, such as an open airenvironment.

In still another example, signal degradation information may relate toat least shipment data for one or more items being shipped (e.g.,currently shipped or shipped in the past) and located in the proximateenvironment of the first node. For instance, a package near the firstnode may include metallic materials that may impede or block RF signalsand the signal degradation information may relate to such informationabout close packages being shipped near the first node. In anotherexample, the signal degradation information may relate to at leastlayout data for one or more physical structures in the proximateenvironment of the first node. In more detail, the layout data may befor one or more physical structures (e.g., walls, machinery, enclosures,and conveyances) in the proximate environment of the node near apredicted path for the first node. In yet another example, the signaldegradation information relates to at least historic data on one or moreanalyzed prior operations of the second node.

Next, the network device, such as a master node or server, may adjust ananticipated communication distance related to the first node based uponon the first type of the context data. In one example, the anticipatedcommunication distance may be a theoretical broadcast distance basedupon parameters of the device's radio. Such an anticipated communicationdistance is known as it is an estimate of the radio's range. In oneexample, the adjusted communication distance comprises an anticipatedreduced range distance for a transmission from the first node. Inanother example, the adjusted communication distance comprises ananticipated reduced receiver sensitivity distance for the first node.

In yet another example, adjusting the communication distance may beaccomplished by adaptively adjusting, by the network device, thecommunication distance based upon the signal degradation information anda second type of the context data. In other words, the communicationdistance may be adjusted based upon signal degradation informationconsidered along with other types of context data, such as how the firstnode is being moved (such as an anticipated movement of the first nodealong a predicted transit path for the first node) or a density of othernodes near the first node.

Next, the network device determines the location of the first node basedupon the adjusted communication distance. In a further example, themethod may also update the adjusted communication distance by thenetwork device based upon movement of the first node, and may refine thelocation of the first node with an updated adjusted communicationdistance. This may happen with the first node is a mobile master nodecapable of self-determining its own location.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a method as disclosedand explained above in various examples may be implemented on a networkdevice (e.g., exemplary master node 1720 a in FIG. 4 or server 100 inFIG. 5) running one or more parts of their respective control andmanagement code to perform steps of method 3200 as described above. Suchcode may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such asmemory storage 415 on master node 1720 a or memory storage 515 on server100. Thus, when executing such code, the respective network device'sprocessing unit may be operative to perform operations or steps from theexemplary methods disclosed above and variations of that method.

In more detail, an exemplary network device apparatus for determining alocation of a first node in a wireless node network based on contextdata, the exemplary network device may include a processing unit, avolatile memory coupled to the processing unit, and a memory storagecoupled to the processing unit. The exemplary network device furtherincludes a communication interface coupled to the processing unit andthat provides a communication path operatively coupling the networkdevice with the first node in the network.

The memory storage for the device maintains at least a program codesection and context data having at least signal degradation information.Such signal degradation information, as a type of context data, isinformation on how a second node would operate in a similar environmentto a proximate environment of the first node when the second node is asimilar type as the first node. Examples of signal degradationinformation may include those discussed above.

When executing at least the program code section when resident in thevolatile memory, the processing unit of the network device is operativeto perform the method steps noted and described above. In more detail,the processing unit is operative to at least connect with the memorystorage to access the signal degradation information, adjust acommunication distance (if needed) related to the first node based uponon the signal degradation information, determine the location of thefirst node based upon the adjusted communication distance, and store thedetermined location of the first node as location data on the memorystorage.

Adjusting the communication distance by the processing unit may beaccomplished as described above. And as mentioned above, the processingunit may be further operative to adaptively adjust the communicationdistance where other types of context data are also considered, such asmovement and anticipated node movement as detailed out above.

In a further example, the network device may be a mobile master nodethat includes location circuitry (such as GPS circuitry 475 of exemplarymaster node 1720 a shown in FIG. 4). In this example, the processing ofthe network device may be further operative to determine a location ofthe network device based upon an output signal from the locationcircuitry received by the processing unit, and determine the location ofthe first node based upon the adjusted communication distance and thelocation of the network device. As such, the first type of the contextdata related to the proximate environment of the first node is basedupon the determined location of the first node.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that in some operationalenvironments, the signal degradation information may not require anyadjustment to the communication distance in an example. However, inother environments (e.g., adverse RF environments), the signaldegradation information may provide a basis for adjusting thecommunication distance in the example, even if not performed every time.Thus, an adjustment to the communication distance may not be needed inall proximate environments of the first node but may be performed, ifneeded, based on the proximate environment of the first node. It is theability of an example to adjust this communication distance when neededand if needed that advantageously allows for locating the first nodewith more accuracy.

Location Through Triangulation

In some examples, various methods for determining a node's location mayrely upon, at least in part, triangulation techniques. In other words,as the wireless node network collects data on receiver-transmitterpairs, other methods for determining location of the individual nodesthat utilize triangulation, at least in part, may become possible. FIG.15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location determination throughtriangulation within a wireless node network. Referring now to theillustrated example of FIG. 15, three exemplary master nodes M1-M3 910a-910 c are shown with each master node having a known location.Exemplary ID nodes A-E 920 a-920 e are also shown where they are atleast in communication range of one or more of exemplary master nodesMA-M3 910 a-910 c.

In this illustrated example, the master nodes M1-M3 may detect andcollect advertising messages from ID nodes A-E at varying and knownpower levels. The captured information is forwarded by the master nodesM1-M3 to the backend server 100, where location determinations may bemade. For example, factors like RSSI and visibility of each node at eachpower level may be used to determine, with a higher degree of accuracy,the location of nodes where sufficient information is available.

For an exemplary system to triangulate a node, three nodes with knownlocations must have seen the broadcasting node. In this example, twoadvertising ID nodes, A 920 a and B 920 b, were seen by the three nodeshaving known locations (master nodes M1-M3 910 a-910 c). Based upon thecaptured information, the locations of ID node A 920 a and ID node B 920b are calculated.

Chaining Triangulation

In another example, a node with an inferred location may be used withtriangulation techniques to determine a location of another node in awireless node network. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an exemplarylocation determination through chaining triangulation. The locations ofID nodes A 920 a and B 920 c have been determined by triangulatingacross master nodes M1-M3, as illustrated in the exemplary example shownin FIG. 15. However, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the location of ID nodeC 920 c may also be determined according to an example.

For example, an exemplary method of determining a node's locationthrough chaining triangulation begins with determining the calculatedlocation of ID node B 920 b (as explained with reference to FIG. 15).Next, a node closer to ID node B 920 b may be used to get the missingthird signal point needed for triangulation. This may be accomplished byplacing ID node B 920 b in a query (scan) mode such that it listens fora message from ID node C 902 c. ID node C is instructed to advertise,thus providing a signal that may be captured by ID node B. Aftercapturing the signal profile of C, ID node B may communicate or sharethe captured information and forward it along to the backend server 100through either of the master nodes M1 or M2. The resulting locationdetermination of ID node C 920 c may have a higher level of positionerror due to it being partially based on a calculated reference (e.g.,the location of ID node B), but the leveraged location determination ofID node C 920 c may be sufficiently accurate (or be an actionablelocation) that useful information may be gleaned about ID node C 920 c.For example, a leveraged or chained location determination of ID node Cmay indicate, with the help of context data, that nodes M1, M2, and IDnode B are all close enough to ID node C that ID node C is determined tobe within the same container nodes M1, M2, and ID node B.

Location Through Proximity to Triangulation (LP2T)

In an example where chaining triangulation may determine locationthrough proximity to triangulation (LP2T), a starting point may bedetermining the relative location of an ID node to a master node basedon the proximity method, as explained above. However, when the relativelocation of the ID node has been determined, a more accurate or refinedlocation of the ID node may be determined based upon the location of allmaster nodes that can capture the RF output signal broadcast from the IDnode, and then triangulating based on observed signal strength of the IDnode. In this example, the proximity-based location is used as an inputin the triangulation calculation to estimate likely signal deteriorationhistorically observed between a node at the proximity-determinedlocation and scanning master nodes. In a further example, by taking intoaccount historic data on patterns of signal deterioration, a moreaccurate triangulation may be possible, leading to a more accuratelocation determination.

Related to this additional node location technique, an exemplary methodfor determining a node location using chaining triangulation for one ofa plurality of nodes in a wireless node network having a server isdescribed as follows. Such an exemplary node location need not beprecise or exacting, but can be sufficiently accurate without absolutes.Such an exemplary method begins with the server receiving a location ofa first of the nodes from the first node. Next, the server receives alocation of a second of the nodes from the second node. For example,with reference to the example shown in FIG. 16, master nodes M1 910 aand M2 910 b may transmit their respective location coordinates fromtheir respective onboard location circuitry to the server so that theserver has the current locations of these two master nodes.

Next, the server infers a location of a third of the nodes. Forinstance, in the example illustrated in FIG. 16, the server may inferthe location of ID node B 920 b. In one example, inferring may comprisehaving the server determine a proximate-based location of the third noderelative to another of the nodes having a known location, such that theproximate-based location operates as the inferred location of the thirdnode.

In another example, inferring the location of the third node maycomprise having the server determine a relative location of the thirdnode to the first node (as the node having a known location) or to thesecond node (as another node having a known location). The method mayalso, in another example, include having the server adjust the inferredlocation of the third node to determine a refined location of the thirdnode based upon third node context data related to the inferred locationof the third node.

Next, the method concludes with the server triangulating the location ofthe one node based upon determined distances to each of the first andsecond nodes, and a determined distance of the one node to the inferredlocation of the third nodes.

In a more detailed example, the method may triangulate the location ofthe one node by accessing first node context data related to acontextual environment near the first node and second node context datarelated a contextual environment near the second node. Such contextualenvironments may include an environment of being on a conveyor system,or within a particular facility, or next to materials that may degradeor shield signals being received by the one node. Next, the moredetailed triangulating may have the server adjust the determineddistance of the one node to the location of the first node based uponthe first node context data to provide a refined distance of the onenode to the location of the of the first node. Then, the server maytriangulate the location of the one node based upon the adjusteddetermined distance of the one node to the location of the first node,the adjusted determined distance of the one node to the location ofsecond node, and a determined distance of the one node to the refinedlocation of the third node.

In a further example, this method may also have the server transmittingan instruction so as to cause the server to transmit an instruction tocause the one node to broadcast a plurality of advertising signals overa period of time. In such an example, the determined distance of the onenode to the location of the first node may be based upon capturedsignals from the one node by the first node over the period of time andreported to the server by the first node. In another example, thedetermined distance of the one node to the location of the second nodemay be based upon captured signals from the one node by the second nodeand reported to the server by the second node.

In still another example, the server may transmit an instruction tocause the one node to broadcast a plurality of advertising signals atdifferent power levels. In such an example, the determined distance ofthe one node to the location of the first node may be based uponcaptured signals from the one node by the first node and reported to theserver by the first node. In another example, the determined distance ofthe one node to the location of the second node may be based uponcaptured signals from the one node by the second node and reported tothe server by the second node.

In yet another example, this method may also have the servertransmitting the location information out to a requesting entity (e.g.,another node, a user access device, etc.) upon receipt of a request fora location of the one node from that entity.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this method as disclosedand explained above in various examples may be implemented on a server(such as exemplary server 100 as illustrated in FIG. 5) running one ormore parts of a control and management code (such as an code 525) toimplement any of the above described functionality. Such code may bestored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as memorystorage 515 in an exemplary server). Thus, when executing such code, aprocessing unit of the server (such as unit 500) may be operative toperform operations or steps from the exemplary methods disclosed above,including variations of that method.

A server apparatus is also described in an example for determining alocation using chaining triangulation for one of a plurality of nodes ina wireless node network. The server apparatus generally comprises aserver processing unit, a server volatile memory, a server memorystorage, and a communication interface. The server volatile memory,server memory storage, and communication interface are each configuredin the apparatus as coupled to the server processing unit. The servermemory storage maintains at least a program code section and locationdata related to nodes in the network. In some examples, the servermemory storage may also maintain context data, such as first nodecontext data and second node context data. The communication interfaceprovides a communication path operatively coupling the server with nodesin the network, such as a first and second node.

The server processing unit, when executing at least the program codesection resident in the server volatile memory, is operative to performvarious functions, such as the functions described in the steps aboverelated to method 3300. In particular, the server processing unit isoperative to receive a request over the communication interface for thelocation of the one node. Based on the request, the server processingunit is then operative to receive the respective locations of the firstand second nodes, and store the locations as part of the location datakept on the server memory storage. The server processing unit is furtheroperative to infer a location of a third of the nodes, and store theinferred location of the third node as part of the location data kept onthe server memory storage. The server processing unit then is operativeto triangulate the location of the one node based upon a determineddistance of the one node to the location of the first node, a determineddistance of the one node to the location of second node, and adetermined distance of the one node to the inferred location of thethird node. And finally, the server processing unit is operative totransmit the location information to the requesting entity over thecommunication interface in response to the request.

In one example, the server processing unit may be further operative toinfer the location of the third of the nodes by being operative todetermine a proximate-based location of the third node relative toanother of the nodes having a known location, where the proximate-basedlocation operates as the inferred location of the third node.

In another example, the server processing unit may be further operativeto transmit an instruction over the communication interface to cause theone node to broadcast a plurality of advertising signals over a periodof time. In this example, the determined distance of the one node to thelocation of the first node may be based upon captured signals from theone node by the first node over the period of time and reported to theserver by the first node. Alternatively, the determined distance of theone node to the location of the second node may be based upon capturedsignals from the one node by the second node and reported to the serverby the second node.

In another example, the server processing unit may be further operativeto transmit an instruction over the communication interface to cause theone node to broadcast a plurality of advertising signals at differentpower levels. In such an example, the determined distance of the onenode to the location of the first node may be based upon capturedsignals from the one node by the first node and reported to the serverby the first node. Alternatively, the determined distance of the onenode to the location of the second node may be based upon capturedsignals from the one node by the second node and reported to the serverby the second node.

In yet another example, the server processing unit may be furtheroperative to infer the location of the third node by being operative todetermine a relative location of the third node to the first node or,alternatively, to the second node.

In still another example, context data may be relied upon to refinelocations. More specifically, the server processing unit may be furtheroperative to adjust the inferred location of the third node to determinea refined location of the third node based upon third node context datarelated to the inferred location of the third node.

In a more detailed example, the server memory storage may furthermaintains context data, and the server processing unit may be furtheroperative to triangulate by being operative to access first node contextdata as part of the context data maintained on the server memorystorage, where the first node context data is related to a contextualenvironment near the first node. Likewise, the server processing unitmay be further operative to access second node context data as part ofthe context data maintained on the server memory storage, where thesecond node context data is related a contextual environment near thesecond node. The server processing unit may then be operative to adjustthe determined distance of the one node to the location of the firstnode based upon the first node context data to provide a refineddistance of the one node to the location of the of the first node. Assuch, the server processing unit may be operative to triangulate thelocation of the one node based upon the adjusted determined distance ofthe one node to the location of the first node, the adjusted determineddistance of the one node to the location of second node, and adetermined distance of the one node to the refined location of the thirdnode.

Combined Methods for Determining Node Location

In light of the examples explained above for locating a node (such as anode-based control element deployed in a modular component of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus or a node-based mobile wireless device ora node-based control element for actuating a door, elevator, objectarticulation system, and the like), one skilled in the art willappreciate that a further example expressly contemplates using more thanone of the above-described location determination techniques whendetermining a refined location of a node in a wireless node network. Forexample, such combination examples may apply an ordered or prioritizedapproach whereby a first location technique is applied to generate firstlocation information regarding the location of a node in the wirelessnetwork. Thereafter, a second location technique may be selected from ahierarchy or prioritized set of techniques (some of which may workbetter in certain circumstances and be chosen or dynamically prioritizedbased upon the contextual environment), and applied to generate secondlocation information regarding the location of the node or refining thelocation of the node. Other examples may apply additional locationtechniques to generate further refined location information.

In an example, the information in the exemplary hierarchy generallyidentifies which technique may be preferred to be used initially as wellas a ranked grouping or listing of when to apply other locationtechniques. Such information in the exemplary hierarchy may be fixed(based upon successful historic data and experience) or be dynamicallyaltered over time as nodes may move relative to each other and, forexample, based upon context data that provides more information relativeto the a current or anticipated contextual environment.

MALVT Apparatus, Components & Systems

In light of the above-described wireless node technology that may beused as building blocks for control elements within implementations ofdifferent embodiments involving modular autonomous logistics bots,assemblies, components, vehicles, and systems described herein, thefollowing provides further details on embodiments of an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus including respective modular components of such anapparatus and including embodiments of a modular assembly of suchcompatible components that may be assembled to form an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus for use in one or more particular logistics operations(e.g., delivery of an item/object, pickup of an item/object).

In general, those skilled in the art will appreciate that an exemplaryMALTV bot apparatus is a type of transport vehicle that may beimplemented to operate on multiple types of terrain, such as on and offroadways, navigating different types of pathways, corridors, and transitconduits indoors as well as outdoors and operating within and outside ofdifferent types of delivery vehicles. The high-level modular design ofan exemplary MALTV bot apparatus, as an individual component as wells aspart of an assembled system (whether pre-assembled for immediatedispatch or whether assembled on demand in response to a dispatchcommand), will facilitate interoperability for different exemplary usecase scenarios (e.g., such as last-mile delivery) and allow for moreefficient storage and deployment of fleets of exemplary MALTV botapparatus devices as explained in more detail below. Using novel modulararchitecture principles in various embodiments also allows for takingadvantage of rapid hardware and software developments in thefoundational technologies used in such a process, an apparatus or asystem, including but not limited to self-driving technology, long/shortrange wireless communications, Artificial Intelligence (AI),high-resolution mapping, context & location sensors, and electricvehicle technology.

In more detail, some exemplary novel, innovative, and advantageousaspects and features of an enhanced and improved autonomous transportsystem and methods that use elements of the same include, for example,the following:

-   -   Modular design and interoperability of components, including a        smart Mobile Autonomy Module (MAM) or “Hat” to provide sensing        and control for the exemplary MALTV bot apparatus. Such        modularity and use of inter-module locking mechanisms may        enhance and improve how to minimize risk of injury as well.    -   Ability of an exemplary MALTV bot apparatus to provide        “stand-up” and “tilting” functionality, which could support        unassisted object delivery. Such an object may generally be        referred to an item being shipped, but may be a package, a group        of packages, a palletized group of packages, an unwrapped item,        and the like.    -   Ability to utilize different components of an exemplary MALTV        bot apparatus independently, such as the Mobility Base (MB), to        provide robotic assistance solutions to existing couriers for        dense metropolitan delivery areas. Additionally, MBs may be        grouped using a larger connecting platform for transporting        larger shipments.    -   Ability to utilize and interface with a hierarchical        Internet-of-Things (IoT) type of wireless node network (see TRON        Network Reference Information), such as a TRON network including        ID nodes, ULD nodes and the AI engine. Interfacing with TRON        technology devices and systems may provide contextual awareness        of an object in shipment, provide granular navigation, and        manage authentication of various wireless devices that        interoperate for robotic object delivery.    -   End-to-end integration with other existing systems, including        fleet management systems, dispatch and operations, and human        monitoring and decision support systems for different exemplary        MALTV bot apparatus while engaged and deployed in the        operational environments (i.e., when does an exemplary MALTV bot        apparatus need to be deployed instead of a human courier?).

The description that follows includes a general glossary section ofterms and acronyms used within the description as well as descriptionsof different embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and its relatedcomponents, practical applications of such parts of and assemblies ofone or more MALVT bot apparatus devices deployed in differentembodiments, as well as an embodiment where a single logistics operationmay be implemented with multiple node-enabled autonomous logisticsvehicle transports (also referenced as a node-enabled AV or autonomoustransport vehicle), such as multiple different MALVT bot apparatus.

As noted above, what follows are general meanings for terms and acronymsthat may be used in different embodiments of this disclosure. Suchmeanings are intended to be exemplary, and not limiting, as consideredby those skilled in the art.

TRON: As explained in more detail above, this is an exemplaryhierarchical Internet of things (IoT) network using different types ofwireless nodes that enables device to device communication andconnectivity for location, authentication, and association acrossmultiple platforms.

Authentication (AuthN): An exemplary cybersecurity validation processthat is concerned with authenticating an entity is “who they say theyare”. AuthN schemes are numerous, including login/password, etc.

Authorization (AuthZ): An exemplary cybersecurity process thatidentifies the permissions that an authenticated user is entitled to,such as read-only access to a database, etc.

Central Processing Unit (CPU): A conventional processing unit utilizedin personal computers, laptops, and other computing devices andhistorically has been built and used to process executable instructions.Due to a high speed of operation (clock rate), those skilled in the artwill appreciate that a CPU is a general purpose processing unit, with alarge degree of flexibility.

Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC): A two-way, low-latency,short-to-medium-range wireless system developed to transmit data betweenvehicles (V2V) and the transportation infrastructure (V2I), used foroperations related to traffic flow improvement, traffic safety, andother intelligent transportation service applications.

Department of Transportation (DOT): An agency of the Executive Branch ofthe US Government, and is run by the Office of the Secretary (OST). TheDOT has multiple administrations to deal with different modes oftransportation, including the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration, Federal Aviation Administration, and Federal RailroadAdministration, among others.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): A family of specialty processors thathave been optimized for highly intensive and massively parallelprocessing required for graphics rendering at a high refresh rates.These processors have been optimized to process multi-dimensional arraysand floating point operations. As GPUs have been found to be useful forother tasks, such as deep learning, AI, bitcoin mining, etc., the termGeneral Purpose GPU, or GPGPU has emerged to generally refer to a GPU.

Human-to-Machine Interface (H2M, or HMI): A user interface that connectsan operator to the controller of an industrial machine, robot, orcomputer. Examples of such an interface may include a keyboard, switch,display, touch interface, and the like. This interface can includeelectronic components for signaling and controlling autonomous systems.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): An electronic device that generallymeasures and reports movement and, more particularly, may measure andreport an object's acceleration, rotation, and sometimes the magneticfield surrounding the object. These measurements are collected by acombination of accelerometers, gyrometers, and magnetometers. Usuallyused in conjunction with Global Positioning Sensors (GPS) and LIDAR.

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR): A remote sensing device that usespulsed laser light to measure distances and create “point maps” of thesurrounding environment. These point maps can be used with ArtificialIntelligence platforms to detect and classify different types of objectsin the environment: trees, cars, pedestrians, bikers, etc.

Light Emitting Diode (LED): A low power, solid state (semiconductor)light source. LEDs can be made into a display that can show text & videoor a user interface.

Machine-to-Machine Interface (M2M): Communication protocols (typicallyover wireless communication channels, but can be wired) that enablenetworked devices to exchange information directly and perform actionswithout human intervention.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): This is a USgovernment agency, part of the DOT that is responsible for keepingpeople safe on America's roadways. NHTSA is dedicated to achieving thehighest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety.

Organic LED (OLED): A new generation LED technology developed with athin emissive electroluminescent layer, based on organic compounds. OLEDtechnologies may be used in modern displays found in televisions, smartphones, tablets, etc. Next-generation OLED technologies are beingcreated in the form of flexible displays for wearable technologies.

Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR): A remote sensing system/device thatutilizes radio waves to determine the range, angle and velocity ofobjects in the surrounding environment.

MALVT Apparatus, Components & Systems: Overview of Components

An exemplary MALVT bot system is implemented as being modular, withmultiple level component areas with each component being modular andable to be changed out from the assembled bot system. These components(also generally referenced as units) may be assembled to form anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus (also generally referenced as an assemblyof one or more such components). Such assembly may be performed to order(e.g., in response to the need for transporting an object) or may beperformed ahead of time. Such assembly may be performed based on theparticular needs for a given order as well (e.g., based oncharacteristics of the object being shipped or transported, such asweight, size, environmental condition needs, and the like).

In one embodiment, such components may include a Mobility Base (MB), anAuxiliary Power Unit (APM) or Base Adapter Plate Module (BAPM), a CargoStorage Unit (CSS), and a Mobile Autonomy Module (MAM). These componentsare highly modular so that they can be managed at scale separately,while allowing quick assembly into a working exemplary MALTV botapparatus within a short period of time. As use cases for the exemplaryMALTV bot apparatus are implemented, multiple versions of components maybe deployed and built to support these use cases. For example, varioussizes of the CSS may be built to support multiple delivery options.

In further embodiments, the component modules of an exemplary MALVT botapparatus may involve authentication as a verified unit and/or whenassembling the components to make an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus for aparticular use or deployment purpose. Such authentication may beperformed component-to-component, or by one component (e.g., a MAMcomponent) once assembled with that one component interrogating theother components to ensure authentic and proper components have beenused in the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly.

The use of such authentication may, for example, be for securitypurposes—e.g., to ensure that only particular components are used for anassembly or to ensure that non-authorized components are not used aspart of an assembly or for certain purposes (such as using a particularMB component that has a weight limit that is less than required by acertain deployment or a CSS component that does not have the storagecapacity for a certain deployment). Such authentication may be used whenassembling or deploying an assembled exemplary MALVT bot apparatus forregulatory and/or contractual compliance. For example, if a customer isnot allowed to use a certain sized CSS (or box size that requires aparticular sized CSS component), the authentication feature may notallow the assembled exemplary MALVT bot apparatus using such a CSS tooperate with or for such a customer. Such regulatory/contractualcompliance may have a basis in safety (e.g., not allowing overweightassemblies), logistical requirements (e.g., passageways in a particularfacility not allowing widths over a prescribed amount, elevators havingweight limits, etc.), and the like.

The modularity aspect of such an embodiment of components that make upan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may help reduce or otherwise minimizeimpacts and/or risk of injury through use of inter-component lockingmechanisms. For example, if an impact is unavoidable or during animpact, the locking mechanisms between components may be set todisengage (e.g., based upon a setting, based upon a threshold impactsensed by an impact sensor on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus). Thatmay allow the different components to easily be separated to minimizethe force of the impact on a person, vehicle, and/or structure.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly of different exemplarymodular autonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT botapparatus) 1700 and components thereof in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Referring now to FIG. 17, the diagram shows a sequenceof exemplary MALTV bot apparatus components, including exemplary MB1705, APM or BAPM 1710, CSS 1720, and MAM 1725. This sequence is alogical progression of assembly starting with the MB 1705, on which theAPM or BAPM 1710 are attached (having a cargo door 1715), and on whichthe CSS 1720 is unfolded and attached to the APM/BAPM 1725. The MAM 1725is then mounted to and fastened to the CSS 1720 and its interfacing busand connections as explained in more detail below.

Modular Mobility Base (MB) Component

In general, FIGS. 18A-18C relate to details about the modular mobilitybase component. In more detail, FIG. 18A is a diagram of an exemplarymodular mobility base (MB) unit or component 1705 of an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus 1700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring now to FIG. 18A, the Mobility Base (MB) 1705 is shown having abase 1800 (e.g., a mobile base platform) and wheels 1805 that generallyprovides a “unit” of autonomous propulsion to an exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700. In one embodiment and shown in more detail in FIG. 18C,the base 1800 of exemplary MB 1705 may include integral controlelectronics (e.g., a controller or processor (also referenced as amobility controller) with interface circuitry to sensors and actuators)that controls steering, propulsion (e.g., via an electric motor poweredby an onboard or off-board power source, such as a battery and thelike), braking, and other actuated movement of MB 1705. Such integralcontrol electronics may be implemented in processing-based control logicand processing systems within the base 1800 of the MB 1705. Otherembodiments of an MB 1705 may rely upon control for steering andpropulsion systems within the MB 1705 but have such control beingprovided by the MAM component 1725 of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700.

Aside from propulsion and steering, an exemplary MB 1705 may include oneor more sensors 1815 (e.g., front AV sensors, such as cameras, proximitysensors, IR sensors, LiDAR sensors, environmental sensors, lightsensors, motion detectors, tilt sensors, impact sensors, and the like)and lights 1820 used to allow for autonomous detection of nearby objectsand obstacles. As shown in FIG. 18A, the exemplary MB 1705 may alsodeploy an alignment channel 1810, which may be used for keepingadditional components attached to or loaded onto the MB 1705 in acontrolled position when moving.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the exemplary MB 1705may be implemented in a variety of sizes with a variety of propulsionoptions (e.g., wheeled, tracked, etc.) that may depend upon, forexample, the types of objects to be transported in its CSS 1720, theenvironment in which the MB 1705 will be running (e.g., inside,outdoors), the accuracy required in movement (e.g., width foroperations, turn around spacing, etc.), and the anticipated payload andarticulating loading and unloading mechanisms to help load and unloadthe CSS 1720 supported on the MB 1705.

An exemplary MB 1705 may also provide power to additional components ofthe MALVT bot apparatus 1700. Such power may be provided with powerconnections or bus interfaces location on base 1800 (or as part of thealignment channel 1810 of base 1800) as the additional components areattached to the MB 1705. As described in more detail below, someembodiments of an MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may deploy an auxiliary powermodule (APM) 1710 to serve as an additional source of power or, in someinstances, a main source of power for the MALVT bot apparatus 1700(including power for the MB 1705) that can be easily swapped in and outas a line replaceable unit for repairs and hot swapping for rechargingpurposes.

The ability for an exemplary MB 1705 to raise and tilt at various anglesenables novel and unique object transfer solutions to humans and otherintermediate storage devices. FIG. 18B is the exemplary mobility baseunit component 1705 of FIG. 18A, but shown in a tilted configuration inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG.18B, a sample tilting operation is shown where the base portion 1800 isarticulated to a different orientation relative to the ground contacts(e.g., the wheelbase supporting wheels 1805) so as to place the contentsheld normally on the MB 1705 in a tilted configuration by lifting oneend of the MB 1705 relative to the other end. In other embodiments,different lifting/tilting actuators disposed within base 1800 (e.g., oneor more actuators connected to different axles or motors for wheels 1805or part of an adjustable suspension system for base 1800) may bedeployed in different parts of the MB 1705 (e.g., different sides,different corners) so as to allow for selective and articulable liftingand/or tilting of the MB 1705 under control of the control electronicsintegral within base 1800 (or at the control of the MAM 1725 or othercomponent in communication with the MB's control electronics) in customorientations. In other words, such actuators that implement such tiltingaction may be responsively controlled with the integral control logicsystems onboard the MB 1705 or, alternatively, in the MAM component1725. Further embodiments may deploy alternative lifting mechanisms forthe base 1800, such as a “scissor-lift” type actuated mechanism, whichmay be used alone or in conjunction with the previously describedtilting actuator mechanisms.

As noted above, self-sensing (such as vehicle tilt, proximity,environmental sensing) via sensors 1815 deployed on and focused aroundthe exemplary MB 1705 may be incorporated into the exemplary MB 1705 toprovide a safe baseline autonomous operation level for use cases thatmay not involve other components (e.g., powered dolly, “follow-me”luggage cart, etc.) as described in more detail below. Any required ordesired illumination for proper sensor operation may be included, forexample, at one or more points along the edges of the MB 1705 via lights1820. Such illumination via lights 1820 may be with visual light orother wavelengths that correspond with sensors used on the MB 1705(e.g., infrared, etc.).

While FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an exemplary MB 1705 in perspectiveview, FIG. 18C is a block diagram showing some of the external as wellas internal details of exemplary modular mobility base unit component1705 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and consistentwith the description above relative to exemplary MB 1705. Referring nowto FIG. 18C, an exemplary modular mobility base for a modular autonomousbot apparatus that transports an item being shipped is illustrated asexemplary MB 1705 having at least a mobile base platform 1800, a modularcomponent alignment interface 1810, a mobility controller 1825, apropulsion system 1830 that causes movement of one or more wheels 1805(which may include all wheels 1805 for more robust propulsion), asteering system 1835 that can responsively alter the direction of atleast some of wheels 1805 (which may include altering the direction ofall wheels 1805 for refined movement), sensors 1815, and lights 1820.

The exemplary mobile base platform 1800 essentially provides a movingsupport platform on which other components of a modular autonomous botapparatus may be assembled. In more detail, exemplary mobile baseplatform 1800 may be implemented with a support base and wheels 1805,where the support base of platform 1800 has a top support surface onwhich the modular alignment interface 1810 is disposed and peripheraledges on which the sensors 1815 are disposed. Wheels 1805 areeffectively coupled to the support base.

The exemplary modular component alignment interface (an example of whichbeing the alignment channel 1810 of base 1800 shown in FIG. 18A) isshown in FIG. 18C as being disposed on the mobile base platform 1800.Consistent with the embodiment shown in FIG. 18A, the exemplary modularalignment interface 1810 provides at least one channel (such as theraised alignment channel 1810 shown in FIG. 18A) into which anothermodular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus can be placedand secured on the mobile base platform 1800. As placed, interface 1810may interlock with a corresponding interface (such as a latch or otherregistration channel) on an APM 1710.

The exemplary mobility controller 1825 is a processor-based controlelement disposed as part of the mobile base platform 1800 and may beimplemented with an ID node type of controller and programming tointerface with other circuitry onboard the modular mobility base as wellas with other modular components within a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly of such components. In more detail, mobilitycontroller 1825 is operative to generate a propulsion control signal forcontrolling speed of the modular mobility base 1705 and a steeringcontrol signal for controlling navigation of the modular mobility base1705. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the propulsioncontrol signal that impacts and controls speed of the propulsion system1830 may also control braking (e.g., via an active reduction in speed ofwheels 1805 and/or with the propulsion control signal actuating one ormore brakes (not shown) on the modular mobility base 1705).

The exemplary propulsion system 1830 is connected to the mobile baseplatform 1800 in that the propulsion system 1830 is effectively coupledto the mobile base platform 1800 and operative to provide propulsivepower to wheels 1805, which causes the modular mobility base 1705 tomove. Propulsion system 1830 may, for example, be implemented using oneor more motors disposed on the mobile base platform 1800 responsive tothe propulsion control signals from mobility controller 1825 where themotor(s) effectively couple the motor's output to wheels 1805 to alterrotation of one or more of the wheels 1805. In another example,propulsion system 1830 may be implemented by one or more motorsintegrated with one or more of wheels 1805 (e.g., including motors foreach of wheels 1805 that may be independently controlled). Propulsionsystem 1830 is responsive to the propulsion control signal provided bymobility controller 1825, which may include different signals providedto each motor to implement independent control of the collective set ofmotors under control of the propulsion control signal. In response tothe propulsion control signal, propulsion system 1830 is operative tomove the modular mobility base 1705 from a stationary position, andcause changes to the speed of the modular mobility base 1705 (e.g.,actively increasing the speed or decreasing the speed of the modularmobility base 1705). While exemplary modular mobility base 1705 is shownto ride on wheels 1805, further embodiments may implement wheels 1805as, for example, tracks, moving legs, hybrid wheel/track systems, maglevlocomotive elements that allow for movement of the modular mobility base1705, and the like.

The exemplary steering system 1835 is also connected to the mobile baseplatform in that the steering system 1835 is effectively coupled to themobile base platform 1800 and operative to steer the modular mobilitybase 1705 via, for example, actuated changes to one or more of wheels1805, which causes the modular mobility base 1705 to change directionalmovement in response to the steering control signal from mobilitycontroller 1825. In more detail, an embodiment may have some wheels 1805being coupled to the propulsion system 1830 (e.g., those of wheels 1805that are powered by one or more motors) and other wheels 1805 beingcoupled to the steering system 1835. In still another embodiment, allwheels 1805 may be power driven by one or more motors while less thanall of the wheels 1805 may be coupled to the steering system 1835. Inyet another embodiment, some or all wheels 1805 may be power driven byone or more motors while all of the wheels 1805 may be coupled to thesteering system 1835 for independent and selective steering thatprovides enhanced and robust steering and propulsion of the modularmobility base 1705.

The exemplary sensors 1815 are disposed on the modular mobility base1705 (e.g., on parts of the mobile base platform 1800) and each arecoupled to the mobility controller 1825. As noted above, sensors 1815allow for autonomous detection of nearby objects and pathway obstaclesand do so by being operative to autonomously generate and providefeedback sensor data to the mobility controller 1825 about a conditionof the modular mobility base (e.g., conditions surrounding the modularmobility base, conditions in a movement path of the modular mobilitybase, and the like). In an embodiment, different ones of exemplarysensors 1815 may be operative to detect a tilt characteristic of themobile base platform 1800 (e.g., a level status for the platform), todetect an environmental characteristic next to the mobile base platform1800 (e.g., a temperature outside the platform 1800), and to detect aproximity characteristic about what is next to the mobile base platform1800 (e.g., a distance to pathway obstacle in front of the platform1800). As such, an embodiment may have at least one of the sensors 1815being a proximity sensor operative to autonomously detect an object in amovement path of the modular mobility base 1705 and provide proximitysensor data to the mobility controller 1825 on the detected object asthe feedback sensor data. The mobility controller 1825 may receive thefeedback sensor data from the proximity sensor(s) of sensors 1815 andresponsively generate a change to at least one of the propulsion controlsignal and the steering control signal so as to avoid collisions andautonomously navigate along the movement path.

And as noted above with FIG. 18A, exemplary lights 1820 may be disposedon the modular mobility base 1705 (e.g., on parts of the mobile baseplatform 1800) and may be activated by the mobility controller 1825 toprovide pathway illumination so to assist with autonomous detections ofnearby objects and pathway obstacles. Lights 1820 may be disposed onplatform 1800 in a configuration to focus the light generated by lights1820 externally from the mobile base platform 1800 to facilitate sensordetection via one or more of sensors 1815. In one example, one or moreof the lights 1820 may be implemented as a multi-spectral lightproviding multi-spectral visibility to facilitate sensor detection by atleast one of the sensors 1815 (e.g., infra-red light so as to enhancenight vision, and the like).

An embodiment of the modular mobility base 1705 may deploy wheels 1805in a configuration fixed relative to the mobile base platform 1800 thatallows for movement of wheels 1805 to effect movement of modularmobility base 1705, but another embodiment may have the modular mobilitybase 1705 having the mobile base platform 1800 including a selectivelyadjustable suspension system 1840 that essentially couples the wheels1805 to the support base 1800 in a selectively configuration. Such aselectively adjustable suspension system 1840 may include electronicallyand/or hydraulically adjustable coils, springs, shocks, or otheractuators that selectively couple wheels 1805 and mobile base platform1800 in an articulated and adjustable manner.

In more detail, an exemplary selectively adjustable suspension system1840 may include actuators that may be activated to change an orientedconfiguration of the support base 1800 relative to the set of wheels1805 from a first orientation state to a second orientation state inresponse to a support base orientation control signal from the mobilitycontroller 1825. For example, mobility controller 1825 may receivesensor data from one or more of sensors 1815 indicating a detected levelstatus of the mobile base platform 1800. In response to such sensor datafrom sensors 1815, mobility controller 1825 may operate in a feedbackcontrol manner to generate a support base orientation control signalthat adjusts the level orientation of the mobile base platform 1800 to adesired orientation—whether that be level (e.g., so to keep items beingshipped in a level orientation) or to lift and/or tilt the mobile baseplatform 1800 into the desired position and orientation. In this way,the support base orientation control signal(s) may activate one or moreactuators in the adjustable suspension system to change the orientedconfiguration to a lifted attitude orientation, a tilted attitudeorientation, or a combination lift and tilt attitude orientation.

In a further embodiment, the mobility controller 1825 may beprogrammatically configured to generate one or more support baseorientation control signals to cause the selectively adjustablesuspension system 1840 to activate and change the oriented configurationof the support base 1800 relative to the set of wheels 1805 from thefirst orientation state to the second orientation state based upon andin response to a control command from another modular component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus (such as an exemplary MAM 1725). Asexplained in more detail below, the ability of the modular mobility base1705 to change its orientation in response to control signals directlyfrom its mobility controller 1825 or control commands from a controllerin exemplary MAM 1725 (which may cause the mobility controller 1825 toactive and change the oriented configuration of support base 1800)enabled a type of articulated object manipulation for an item/objectsupported within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly havingthe MB 1705. The change in oriented configuration of support base 1800may cause the item/object supported by exemplary MB 1705 to move orslide in a controlled and desired manner to facilitate delivery orremoval of the item/object from within the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly having the MB 1705.

In a further embodiment, exemplary modular mobility base 1705 may alsoinclude a wireless transceiver 1845 operatively coupled to the mobilitycontroller 1825. The wireless transceiver 1845 may be implemented as ahardware radio, a wireless transceiver implemented with a combination ofhardware and software, or a software defined radio (SDR) implementationof a wireless radio transceiver similar to that described above withrespect to an ID node. Such a wireless transceiver 1845 provides abi-directional wireless data path between the mobility controller 1825and other modular components equipped with similar wireless transceiversas well as external wireless nodes disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus. As such, exemplary wireless transceiver 1845on exemplary modular mobility base 1705 may facilitate remote wirelesscontrol of the modular mobility base 1705 via the bi-directionalwireless data path by another modular component or an external wirelessnode disposed external to the modular mobility base 1705. For example,exemplary mobility controller 1825 may generate the support baseorientation control signal to cause the selectively adjustablesuspension system 1840 to activate and change the oriented configurationof the support base 1800 relative to the set of wheels 1805 from thefirst orientation state to the second orientation state based upon andin response to control command from a MAM 1725 or a wireless controlcommand from such an external wireless node disposed external to themodular mobility base 1705 (e.g., from a handheld mobile user accessdevice similar to devices 200, 205 described above, and the like).

The exemplary modular component alignment interface noted above onexemplary modular mobility base 1705 may be implemented with a varietyof features. For example and as already discussed above, the modularcomponent alignment interface may be implemented with alignment channel1810 on support base 1800 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18C. A furtherembodiment of such a modular component alignment interface may beimplemented with a registration interface and a coupling receiver. Inthis example, the registration interface (such as channel 1810) isdisposed on the top support surface of the mobile base platform 1800 asa type of securing and alignment interface into which another modularcomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus can be placed andsecured on the mobile base platform 1800. More specifically, theregistration interface may be implemented as raised alignment channels(as shown in FIG. 18A) but also as recessed alignment channels intowhich mated alignment structure from another modular component may fitand cause a mutual alignment between the corresponding proximate modularcomponents. A further example may have the registration interface beingimplemented as multiple alignment channels where each of the alignmentchannels are disposed proximate one of the peripheral edges of thesupport base 1800. The coupling receiver part of the modular componentalignment interface in this example may be disposed on the top supportsurface of the mobile base platform 1800 and provide a secure receivinglatch element 1855 (e.g., an interlocking latch) for a correspondingmated coupling latch element on another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus. As such, the secure receiving latch 1855 mayfit into and temporarily attach to the mated coupling latch element onthe proximate modular component attaching to the exemplary modularmobility base 1725.

As will be described in more detail below, exemplary modular componentsof an exemplary MALVT modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 maycommunicate with each other through wireless communication as well asthrough a common modular component electronics interface that provides aconduit for power sharing and data/control communications between thedifferent modular components making up the exemplary MALVT modularautonomous bot apparatus 1700. As such, an exemplary modular mobilitybase 1705 may also include an exemplary modular component electronicsinterface 1860 disposed on the top support surface of the mobile baseplatform 1800. Exemplary modular component electronics interface 1860provides a bus-like conduit or a power and data mated interface to atleast the another modular component of the modular autonomous botapparatus so that actively powered devices and circuitry may be coupledto a power part of interface 1860, while electronic devices thatcommunicate with others onboard or outside of exemplary MB 1705 may beoperatively coupled to a data/control communications part of interface1860. For example, mobility controller 1825 may be coupled to interface1860 so that mobility controller 1825 may have a wired connection toelectronic components in other modular components of an exemplary MALVTmodular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 (e.g., an autonomous controllerthat is operating in an exemplary MAM 1725 and coupled to mobilitycontroller 1825 through interface 1860). In more detail, data/controlcommunications part of interface 1860 may be implemented with a modularmated bus interface connection for at least relaying feedback sensordata from the sensors 1815 coupled to the mobility controller 1825 to atleast another modular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatusand for receiving control commands from other modular components of themodular autonomous bot apparatus that responsively causes the mobilitycontroller 1825 to generate the propulsion control signal and thesteering control signal.

While exemplary modular mobility base 1705 may be powered by anothermodular component (e.g., exemplary APM 1710), an embodiment of exemplarymodular mobility base 1705 may include an onboard power source 1850 thatsupplies electrical power to onboard active electronics, such as themobility controller 1825, the propulsion system 1830, the steeringsystem 1835, and the sensors 1815 and lights 1820. In more detail, theonboard power source 1850 may be connected to the power and data matedinterface 1860, which may also include a power output connection thatprovides electrical power from the onboard power source 1850 to theanother modular component.

In a further embodiment, the exemplary modular mobility base 1705 mayinclude an onboard power controller (not shown as a separate device, butmay be implemented as a power switch on power source 1850 or a powerswitch integrated as part of mobility controller 1825) that selectivelyapplies electrical power from an external power source (via a powerinput connection on interface 1860) and/or the onboard power source 1850to at least the mobility controller 1825, the propulsion system 1830,the steering system 1835, the sensors 185, and lights 1820.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an exemplary embodiment ofa modular mobility base 1705 may have at least its mobility controller1825, wireless transceiver 1845, and sensors 1815 implemented by an IDnode or a master node as explained above.

Multiple Modular Mobility Unit Assembly

With an embodiment of this modular design, a system of exemplary MBunits 1705 may be operated in a “collaboration mode” to achieve higheroperational throughput, such as enhanced functionality for on-road useor higher payload for freight operations in station. FIG. 19 is adiagram of an exemplary assembly 1900 of multiple modular mobility basecomponents 1705 a, 1705 b paired with an exemplary extended base adapterplate module (BAPM) 1905 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 19, paired or grouped types of speciallyconfigured MALVT bot apparatus devices (e.g., wirelessly paired MB units1705 a, 1705 b) may act cooperatively with one collective platform(e.g., extended BAPM 1905 supported by both MB units 100 a, 100 b) forlarger or heavier to handle items. In this configuration, the MB (e.g.,each of MB units 1705 a, 1705 b) uses a Machine-to-Machine interface(M2M) to enable inter-component communication between the MB 1705 a andother components (such as the other MB 1705 b supporting the rest of theBAPM 1905). An exemplary M2M interface may, for example, be implementedas a wireless communication interface (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular,NFC, ZigBee, or other wireless communication formatted interfaces) thatallows the bot component to securely connect with (e.g, via secure orauthorized associations between bot components using TRON nodeassociation techniques) so that bot components communicate and interactin a cooperative manner. In addition, M2M communications may be used bythe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 to communicate with other smart,connected devices, both stationary and mobile (e.g., ID nodes and mobilemaster nodes separate from the MALVT bot apparatus 1700 as described inthe TRON Network Reference Information incorporated by reference asnoted above) using wireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth, cellular,and the like). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that M2Mcommunications may be implemented as a standard protocol utilizingApplication Programming Interfaces (APIs) to support modular softwaredevelopment, and may utilize wired/wireless technologies as applicablefor a particular application and embodiment. As such, the M2Mcommunication deployed in an exemplary MB 1705 may allow for multipleMALVT bot apparatus assemblies to pair together and cooperate in orderto carry larger loads acting as a single unit. For example, this mayinvolve coordinated propulsion and steering of each MB 1705 a, 1705 b inthe paired assembly 400 as shown in FIG. 19 with one of the MBs 100 aoperating as a master autonomous unit and the other MB 1705 b acceptinginput and operating as a type of slave autonomous unit (i.e., MB 1705 boperating in a semi-autonomous manner at the control of MB 1705 a, butoperating autonomous as a collective assembly 1900). As such, theexemplary embodiment of such a paired assembly 1900 collectivelyoperates as a single unit larger MALVT bot system that may be deployedand used for such larger loads.

With reference to FIG. 19 as well as the details explained aboveregarding exemplary modular mobility base 1705 as shown in FIG. 18C, anembodiment of an exemplary modular multiple mobility base assemblyapparatus 1900 may include a base adapter plate (such as plate 1905) andtwo different modular mobility bases (such as MBs 1705 a, 1705 b). Thebase adapter plate 1905 has a top side and a bottom side, where the topside provides a transport area for supporting the item being shipped. Asexplained above and shown in FIG. 19, exemplary base adapter plate 1905spans long enough to be supported on either end by the two MBs 1705 a,1705 b. As will be explained in more detail below, the two MBs 1705 aand 1705 b operate in a cooperative manner to function as part of theassembled apparatus 1900. As such, one of the MBs 1705 a is configuredto operate as a master while the other MB 1705 b is configured to workwith the master, but operate as a slave device.

In more detail, the first modular mobility base (e.g., MB 1705 a) inthis exemplary modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus 1900operating as a master autonomous mobile vehicle is coupled to the bottomside on one end of the base adapter plate 1905. The first modularmobility base 1705 a has a first mobile base platform, a first mobilitycontroller, a first propulsion system, a first steering system, a firstwireless transceiver, and a first group of sensors similar to thatexplained with reference to exemplary MB 1705. In more detail, the firstmobility controller is disposed as part of the first mobile baseplatform on MB 1705 a. The first mobility controller (similar tomobility controller 1825) is programmatically configured to be operativeto generate a master propulsion control signal for controlling speed ofthe first modular mobility base and a master steering control signal forcontrolling navigation of the first modular mobility base. The firstpropulsion system is connected to the first mobile base platform, and isresponsive to the master propulsion control signal from the firstmobility controller and operative to cause changes to the speed of thefirst modular mobility base. The first steering system connected is alsoto the mobile base platform and coupled to the first propulsion system(at least some of the wheels or tracks that may be part of the firstpropulsion system). The first steering system is responsive to themaster steering control signal from the first mobility controller andoperative to cause changes to directional movement of the first modularmobility base. The first wireless transceiver on MB 1705 a isoperatively coupled to the first mobility controller, and provides afirst bi-directional wireless data and command interface for the firstmobility controller. The sensors on MB 1705 a are coupled to the firstmobility controller, disposed on the first mobile base platform, andoperative to autonomously generate and provide first feedback sensordata to the first mobility controller about a condition of the firstmodular mobility base.

The second modular mobility base, MB 1705 b as shown in FIG. 19, ofassembly apparatus 1900 is coupled to the bottom side on the other endof the base adapter plate 1905. While using similar components as MB1705 a, the second modular mobility base is wirelessly paired to thefirst modular mobility base and operating as a slave autonomous mobilevehicle under control of the first modular mobility base. In otherwords, the second modular mobility base 1705 b generally operates as anautonomous mobile vehicle. But when configured as the slave modularmobility base component of modular multiple mobility base assemblyapparatus 1900, the second modular mobility base 1705 b takesnavigational movement direction from the master modular mobility base1705 a (i.e., the mobility controller within MB 1705 a) and provides themaster modular mobility base 1705 a with sensor data detected by thesecond modular mobility base 1705 b.

In this configuration, the second modular mobility base MB 1705 b has asecond mobile base platform, a second mobility controller, a secondpropulsion system, a second steering system, a second wirelesstransceiver, and a second group of sensors similar to that explainedwith reference to exemplary MB 1705. The second mobility controllerdisposed as part of the second mobile base platform is programmaticallyconfigured to be operative to generate a responsive propulsion controlsignal for controlling speed of the second modular mobility base andgenerate a responsive steering control signal for controlling navigationof the second modular mobility base. However, the responsive propulsioncontrol signal and the responsive steering control signal are generatedby the second mobility controller based upon master control inputreceived from the first modular mobility base as part of the cooperationbetween the two modular mobility bases that make up the modular multiplemobility base assembly apparatus 1900. Likewise, some of the othercomponents of the second modular mobility base are configured andoperate differently to operate as the slave autonomous mobile vehicleunder control of the first modular mobility base.

For example, the second propulsion system is connected to the secondmobile base platform, and responds to the responsive propulsion controlsignal from the second mobility controller so as to cause changes to thespeed of the second modular mobility base. Likewise, the second steeringsystem is connected to the second mobile base platform and coupled tothe second propulsion system (at least some of the wheels or tracks thatmay be part of the second propulsion system), is responsive to theresponsive steering control signal from the second mobility controller,and operative to cause changes to directional movement of the secondmodular mobility base.

The second wireless transceiver on the second modular mobility base isoperatively coupled to the second mobility controller, provides a secondbi-directional wireless data and command interface for the secondmobility controller, and is operative to communicate with at least thefirst mobility controller and receive the master control input over asecure paired wireless connection between the first bi-directionalwireless data and command interface for the first mobility controllerand the second bi-directional wireless data and command interface forthe second mobility controller.

The sensors on the second modular mobility base are coupled to thesecond mobility controller, wherein each of these second sensors aredisposed on the second mobile base platform, and being operative toautonomously generate and provide second feedback sensor data to thesecond mobility controller about a condition of the second modularmobility base.

As shown in FIG. 19, each of the first modular mobility base 1705 a andthe second modular mobility base 1705 b support the base adapter plate1905 from below. An embodiment of modular multiple mobility baseassembly apparatus 1900 may deploy modular alignment structures on thebottom of base adapter plate 1905 and on top of each of the MBs 1701 a,1705 b to assist with connections and ensure a proper alignment for theassembled components. In more detail, an embodiment may have the firstmobile base platform on the first modular mobility base use a firstsupport plate alignment channel disposed on a top of the first mobilebase platform (similar to the alignment channels described relative toexemplary MB 1705 above). Likewise, the second mobile base platform onthe second modular mobility base may use a similar support platealignment channel disposed on a top of the second mobile base platform.Such support plate alignment channels may be raised to protrude from therespective mobile base platform, or may be recessed into the respectivemobile base platform.

To mate to such support plate alignment channel structures on therespective MBs, an embodiment of base adapter plate 1905 may use a firstsupport plate alignment seat and a second support plate alignment seatdisposed on the bottom side of the base adapter plate 1905. Such supportplate alignment seats provide a mated interface to the respectivesupport plate alignment channels on the different MBs 1705 a, 1705 b.Such support plate alignment seats may be raised to protrude from therespective mobile base platform, or may be recessed into the respectivemobile base platform. Additionally, an embodiment may have therespective modular mobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b of exemplary modularmultiple mobility base assembly apparatus 1900 secured to the bottomside of the base adapter plate 1905 using one or more detachablecouplings that allow the respective modular mobility base to be latchedand locked to the bottom side of the base adapter plate 1905. In moredetail, such exemplary detachable couplings on respective modularmobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b may be implemented as interlocking latchesthat detachably mate with the bottom side of the base adapter plate1905.

As noted above, the respective modular mobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b ofexemplary modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus 1900 arepaired and collaborate during operation via communication between themobility controllers within the respective modular mobility bases 1705a, 1705 b. For example, an embodiment may have the mobility controlleron one of the modular mobility bases in the assembly 1900 (e.g., MB 1705b) broadcast a pairing request. The mobility controller from the othermodular mobility base (e.g., MB 1705 a) may detect the pairing requestusing the wireless transceiver on MB 1705 a. In response to the pairingrequest, the mobility controller on MB 1705 a establishes the securepaired wireless connection with the mobility controller on MB 1705 b, soas to allow for secure control commands and sensor data to flow betweenthe respective modular mobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b of exemplarymodular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus 1900. In more detail,the mobility controller from MB 1705 a may establish an authorizedassociation with the mobility controller in MB 1705 b in response to thedetected pairing request and based upon a security credential sent tothe mobility controller in MB 1705 a from the mobility controller in MB1705 b. This established authorization allows the mobility controller inMB 1705 a to generate and provide the mobility controller in MB 1705 bwith the master control input over the secure paired wireless connectionand for the mobility controller in MB 1705 b to receive and respond tothe master control input as a way of implementing collaborativeoperations between the respective modular mobility bases 1705 a, 1705 bas part of apparatus 1900. In like manner, the established authorizationallows the mobility controller in MB 1705 b to provide the mobilitycontroller in MB 1705 a with the feedback sensor data about thecondition of MB 1705 b over the secure paired wireless connection andfor the mobility controller in MB 1705 b to receive and respond to thefeedback sensor data about the condition of MB 1705 b as a way ofimplementing collaborative operations between the respective modularmobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b as part of apparatus 1900. Such sharedfeedback sensor data further allows the mobility controller in MB 1705 ato generate updated master control input based upon the receivedfeedback sensor data and provide the mobility controller in MB 1705 bwith the updated master control input over the secure paired wirelessconnection and for the mobility controller in MB 1705 b to receive andrespond to the updated master control input (e.g., via updatedresponsive propulsion control signals and updated steering controlsignals).

In further embodiments, collaboration may not be limited to coordinatedsteering and propulsion types of movement for the respective modularmobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b of exemplary modular multiple mobilitybase assembly apparatus 1900. Collaboration may involve selectivelifting of the base adapter plate 1905 by coordinated actions of therespective modular mobility bases 1705 a, 1705 b. For example, anembodiment of the exemplary modular multiple mobility base assemblyapparatus 1900 may have each of the respective mobile base platforms inMB 1705 a, 1705 b having a support base, a set of wheels, and aselectively adjustable first suspension system that couples the supportbase to the set of wheels similar to that explained above relative toexemplary MB 1705 shown in FIG. 18C. Each of the respective mobile baseplatforms in MB 1705 a, 1705 b may also have their respective adjustablesuspension system (with their own respective controllable actuators)being operative to change an oriented configuration of its respectivesupport base relative to the wheels from a first orientation state to asecond orientation state in response to respective support baseorientation control signals from the respective mobility controller inthe MB 1705 a, 1705 b. More specifically, the support base orientationcontrol signal generated by the mobility controller in MB 1705 b (i.e.,the MB operating as the slave autonomous mobile vehicle under control ofMB 1705 a) may be in response to a coordinated support base orientationcontrol signal from the mobility controller in MB 1705 a. In such asituation, the mobility controller in MB 1705 a may be operative tomaintain a desired orientation configuration of the base adapter plate1905 (e.g., a desired tilted attitude configuration of the base adapterplate, desired tilted attitude configuration of the base adapter plate,or a desired combination lift and tilt attitude configuration of thebase adapter plate) by periodically generating an update for the supportbase orientation control signal provided to the adjustable suspensionsystem on MB 1705 a and generating an update for the coordinated supportbase orientation control signal provided to the mobility controller inMB 1705 b for the adjustable suspension system on MB 1705 b.

When configured with such respective adjustable suspension systemshaving their own actuators to control and adjust the desired orientationof the base adapter plate 1905, support base actuator control signalsfrom the mobility controller in MB 1705 a may cause the support baseactuators in its suspension system to raise the support base in MB 1705a relative to its wheels, and support base actuator control signalsbased upon the coordinated support base orientation control signal fromthe mobility controller in MB 1705 a cause the support base actuators inthe suspension system of MB 1705 b to lower the support base in MB 1705b relative to the wheels of MB 1705 b.

Further embodiments may have the mobility controller in the master MB1705 a coordinating adjustment of the desired orientation of the baseadapter plate 1905 based on sensor data from of MB 1705 a and MP 1705 b.For example, an embodiment may have the mobility controller in MB 1705 abeing operative to responsively generate an update to the support baseorientation control signal for the suspension on MB 1705 a and thecoordinated support base orientation control signal for the suspensionon MB 1705 b based upon a combination of feedback sensor data fromsensors on master MB 1705 a and feedback sensor data from sensors onslave MB 1705 b as provided by the mobility controller on salve MB 1705b to the mobility controller on master MB 1705 a.

Still of the embodiments may adjust the desired orientation of the baseadapter plate 1905 based on a remote wireless command received by theapparatus 1900. For example, the mobility controller on MB 1705 a may beoperative to responsively generate an update to the support baseorientation control signal for the suspension on MB 1705 a and thecoordinated support base orientation control signal for the suspensionon MB 1705 b based upon and in response to a control command received bythe mobility controller on MB 1705 a over the wireless transceiver on MB1705 a. This would allow, for example, a courier using an externalwireless node to remotely actuate and control the desired orientation ofthe apparatus 1900 with commands sent to the mobility controller on themaster one of the modular mobility bases of apparatus 1900, which thencoordinates the changes to the different suspension systems to maintainthe desired orientation—whether the apparatus 1900 is stationary or ifthe apparatus 1900 is moving where the level status of the apparatus1900 may be dynamically changing causing further updated to alter andadapt the relative orientation of the base adapter plate 1905 as part ofmaintaining the desired orientation.

In a further embodiment, exemplary base adapter plate 1905 may include apower source that may be coupled to each of the respective MBs 1705 a,1705 b through output power connections on the bottom side of the baseadapter plate 1905. Such a power source as part of base adapter plate1905 may be configured similar to onboard power source 1850 on anindividual modular mobility base, and may operate with respect to aparticular modular mobility source as an external power source operativeto provide power to that MB through power and data mated interface 1860as connected to one of the output power connections on the bottom sideof the base adapter plate 1905.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that exemplary embodiments ofeach of the respective MBs 1705 a, 1705 b may have their respectivemobility controllers, wireless transceivers, and sensors as explainedabove implemented by an ID node or a master node.

Auxiliary Power Module (APM) & Base Adapter Plate Module (BAPM)Components

In an embodiment and as generally noted above, exemplary APM 1710 asshown in FIG. 17 may serve to provide a primary or additional source ofpower for components of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700, and alsowork as an adapter plate that the walls of a cargo container (such as anexemplary CSS 1720) will fit within (and may be secured to). Embodimentsof this same exemplary modular APM 1710 may be deployed with abottom-hinged door plate 120 and contain actuated components (e.g., suchas door actuator that may use powered joints (using, for example, ahinge) on the APM's door 1715, one or more screw drive linear actuatorsthat actuate the cargo door 1715 relative to the base adapter platformof the AMP, a hydraulic piston actuator attached to the APM's door 1715and the APM 1710 to move the cargo door 1715, and the like) that arefixed to the APM 1710 and the door plate 1715 so as to allow that door1715 to be controlled for actuated or self-closure and locking. Ingeneral, the cargo door 1715 hinged or otherwise joined to the base ofthe APM 1710 may enable the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 tocarefully dispense an object without a human in the loop. In oneembodiment, such an adapter plate may be configured as part of the APM1710. In another embodiment, such an adapter plate may be configured aspart of an exemplary modular BAPM (Base Adapter Plate Module—e.g.,configured as an APM but providing no additional power, while providinga base adapter plate along with an articulated and actuated cargo dooronly). In still another embodiment, such a cargo door 1715 may beimplemented as part of the CSS component 1720 rather than part of theAPM 1710 (or BAPM) as discussed in more detail below. In still otherembodiments, such a cargo door 1715 may be implemented as a closuresystem with an entrance door that may be raised or otherwise openedmanually or articulated under control by one of the components of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700, and an extendible ramp that may bepulled out from one of the CSS 1720 or APM/BAPM units 1710 or anarticulated ramp that may be actuated to extend from one of the CSS 1720or AMP/BAPM units 1710. In still other embodiments, such a cargo door1715 may be a standard hinged door as part of the CSS 1720.

FIG. 20A is a diagram of an exemplary MB 1705 paired with an exemplaryAPM 1710 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringnow to FIG. 20A, exemplary APM 1710 is shown with a base 2005 and anexemplary cargo door 1715 located on the front of the assembly 1700 toprovide easier access. An embodiment of APM 1710 may provide mechanicalfastening via, for example, a grooved or interlocking channel 2010 thataligns with and connects to an exemplary modular CSS 1720 mounted on topof base 2005, with additional electronic/mechanical latching/locking asneeded for security. An embodiment of APM 1710 may provide mechanicalfastening to an alignment channel via, for example, other grooved orinterlocking channels or latches on the bottom of base 2005 that alignswith and connects to base 1800 of the MB 1705 shown in FIGS. 18A and20A, with additional electronic/mechanical locking as needed forsecurity.

In general, operation of exemplary cargo door 1715 of APM 1710 shown inFIG. 20A may be manual or may be implemented as to allow actuatedopening/closing and actuated unlocking/locking via a door actuationcontroller (e.g., a wired or wireless receiver that responds to controlinput from an external wireless node or another component part of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus). In one particular embodiment, suchoperation may be implemented in an autonomous mode with no user inputrequired, or at the request of user input, after appropriateauthentication. For autonomous operation, the door 1715 may be activatedto open via M2M communications, such as part of an interaction betweenanother smart wired or wirelessly connected node or device (e.g., an IDnode, a master node, a smartphone, a node-enabled logistics receptaclesuch as a smart delivery locker, or another component part of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 such as MAM 1725 or MB 1705) and thedoor actuation controller. A joint (e.g., hinge) mechanism 2020 deployedat the bottom of the cargo door 1715 may allow for minimal interactionwith simple mechanical self-closing ability. Additionally, the door 1715may contain two normally-closed electro-mechanical latching or lockingmechanisms 2025: one at top, and one at bottom, to ensure the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be locked and secured in transit. At adelivery stop, the locks 2025 may be activated by a control element onthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 (e.g., a controller in the MAM1725 or the integral control logic in MB 1705, such as mobilitycontroller 1825) interacting with the door activation controller (e.g.,a door actuator driver or directly with the particular actuators) toallow the door 1715 (which may be spring-loaded for self-closure) tounlock and open or close and lock. Having the downward opening door 1715coupled with the tilting capability in an embodiment may allow atransported item/object supported on a base 2005 of the APM 1710 toslide down (e.g., slide to an intermediate storage container, such as alocker or drop box).

As shown in FIG. 20B, an embodiment of the APM 1710 may use atranslucent panel 2030 on the cargo door 1715 as an electronic displayinterface that provides electronic display functionality via amicro-projection system (which may be embedded in other exemplary MALVTbot apparatus components 1700). This micro-projection system may displayappropriate messages to the user by a control element (e.g., acontroller in the MAM 1725 or the integral control logic in MB 1705,such as mobility controller 1825, that may drive the display panel 2030)during the delivery process. An exemplary translucent panel display 2030may be implemented, for example, by an LED or touchscreen display thatallows visibility through cargo door 1715 while also showing displayedvisual information (e.g., prompted instructions related to delivery) onthe cargo door via graphics, symbols, letters, and the like ascontrolled by a control element component of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus (e.g., the controller or processor in the MAM unit 1725) or anexternal wireless node.

An embodiment of the APM 1710 may provide power to the other modules ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 using its auxiliary power source2035, while advantageously keeping the center of gravity low forstability of the apparatus 1700. An embodiment of the APM 1710 may alsoprovide extended range capability for additional use cases with largeror multiple battery packs (e.g., via the use of multiple removable powerpacks 2015 that use batteries or other types of fuel cells). The APMbattery packs 2015 may be removable and replaceable from the exemplaryAPM 1710 once the entire exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 is assembledand without the need to disassemble the apparatus 1700 (e.g., removablebattery packs 2015 being accessible on a side edge of base 2005 of APM1710). In this manner, further types of battery/power packs that providea different source of energy for the electricity needed to power theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be encapsulated withinalternative battery packs for deployment in an exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700. Such alternative battery/power packs 2015 may involvefuel cell technology, or other energy source technologies that may havea sufficient weight to power ratio so as to be useful for an exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus 1700.

If an exemplary MB 1705 were to provide sufficient power, and noadditional power source may be needed for a particular configuration ofapparatus 1700, a BAPM may be used as part of assembly 1700 and alsoprovide modular mechanical connectivity from the Mobile Base unit(s)1705 to the additional modular components of apparatus 1700 on top. Afurther exemplary form factor of such an exemplary BAPM may be toutilize two Mobility Bases, connected together mechanically via theBAPM—e.g., such as that shown in FIG. 19 with an extended BAPM 1905supported by and connecting MBs 1705 a, 1705 b. This novel configuration(with interconnected modular MB units 1705 a, 1705 b) may provideadditional transport capability for large objects, freight handlingunits, etc. And as explained above, an exemplary tandem MB configurationconnected with a BAPM (such as assembly 1900 shown in FIG. 19) mayprovide the ability to have each MB articulate individually and/orcollaboratively so as to handle terrain with obstacles (e.g., where oneMB 1705 a is actuated to move higher than the other MB 1705 b fornavigation of difficult terrain, or collectively raising up to a truckor van to receive objects while on a level surface or collaborativelyadapting to an inclined or otherwise uneven ground surface). Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that further embodiments may assemblysuch a multiple MB configuration (with an extended BAPM 1905) into anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly that uses a larger sized modularCSS 1720 and larger sized modular MAM 1725 to accommodate and enclosethe area above the extended BAPM 1905.

Further details explained above regarding exemplary modular auxiliarypower module 1710 are explained below with reference to FIGS. 20B-20E.Referring now to the details shown in FIG. 20B, an embodiment of anexemplary modular auxiliary power module 1710 is shown with furtherinternal details of different parts of such an exemplary APM 1715. Ingeneral, exemplary AMP 1715 is shown in an exemplary base adapterplatform 2005, cargo door 1715 movably attached (e.g., via a joint, suchas a hinge) to the platform 2005 and extending from the platform 2005,auxiliary power source 2035 disposed as part of the base adapterplatform 2005, and an output power outlet 2055 a, 2055 b coupled toauxiliary power source 2035 and disposed as part of the base adapterplatform 2005. The output power outlet 2055 a, 2055 b provides access byother components of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 to powerfrom the auxiliary power source 2035.

In more detail, exemplary base adapter platform 2005, as shown in FIGS.20A and 20B, has a top side, a bottom side, and peripheral edges. Asshown in FIG. 20A, openings for removable power packs 2015 are locatedalong a peripheral edge and the door's hinge 2020 is disposed alonganother peripheral edge of the base adapter platform 2005. The top sideof the base adapter platform 2005 has a cargo support area disposedbetween its peripheral edges, where the cargo support area (alsoreferred to as a transport area or payload area) is configured tosupport an item or object being shipped.

Exemplary base adapter platform 2005 is equipped with interlockingalignment interfaces to facilitate proper alignment with proximatemodular components of assembly 1700 and secure connection to suchcomponents. In more detail, the top side of the base adapter platform2005 has a first interlocking alignment interface while the bottom sideof the base adapter platform 2005 includes a second interlockingalignment interface (e.g., latches 2040). The first interlockingalignment interface may, for example, be implemented with one or moretop alignment channels (e.g., channels 2010) disposed on the peripheraledges of the base adapter platform 2005 not having the cargo door asshown in FIG. 20A. In a further example, the first interlockingalignment interface may be implements with one or more latches that maybe disposed on one of the top alignment channels so as to align with andsecurely mate another mated component of the modular autonomous botapparatus 1700 to the top side of the base adapter platform 2005.

On the bottom of base adapter platform 2005, an embodiment of the secondinterlocking alignment interface may be implemented with latches 2040configured to mate with and secure to corresponding latches (e.g.,interlocking latches) on the top of an exemplary MB (e.g., MB 1705) ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700. Another embodiment of thesecond interlocking alignment interface on the bottom of base adapterplatform 2005 may be implemented in at least one bottom alignmentregistration interface (e.g., a recessed or raised channel) configuredto mate with at least one alignment registration interface on the top ofan exemplary MB (e.g., MB 1705) of the modular autonomous bot apparatusinterface 1700.

As shown on FIG. 20B, an embodiment of exemplary APM 1710 may haveexemplary output power outlet 2055 a, 2055 b implemented as part of amodular component electronics interface 2050 disposed on and through thebase adapter platform 2005. The modular component electronics interface2050 is a bus-like conduit structure that provides the output poweroutlet 2055 a, 2055 b for a power bus, and a command and datacommunication interface 2060 a, 2060 b for a command and datacommunication bus on the base adapter platform 2005. The modularcomponent electronics interface 2050 (with its output power outlets 2055a, 2055 b and command and data communication interfaces 2060 a, 2060 bon the top and bottom of base adapter platform 2005) is disposed andaligned such that it can modularly connect to similar interfaces onother modular components of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700when the exemplary APM 1715 is assembled as part of such an apparatusassembly 1700. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat as a bus-like conduit structure, the modular component electronicsinterface 2050 allows for electronic components within APM 1715 toconnect to the power and command/data conduits making up the modularcomponent electronics interface 2050. Thus, while FIG. 20B showsauxiliary power source 2035 connected to interface 2050, those skilledin the art will appreciate that other electronic devices that arepowered may be operatively coupled to the power bus related to themodular component electronics interface 2050. Likewise, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that other electronic devices may be operativelycoupled to the command and data communication bus related to the modularcomponent electronics interface 2050 to communicate with other deviceson other modular components through modular component electronicsinterface 2050. For example, exemplary translucent panel 2030 on thecargo door 1715 may be implemented as an electronic display interfaceproviding electronic display functionality via a micro-projection system(which may be embedded in other exemplary MALVT bot apparatus components1700), and the panel 2030 may be coupled to the command and datacommunication interface of the modular component electronics interface2050 so that other devices on apparatus 1700 may communicate with andprovide information to display on the panel 2030.

As noted above, exemplary cargo door 1715 may be implemented as anactuated door. This may be accomplished with, for example, actuatedjoint 2020 (such as an actuated hinge that may be controllable to openand close, or a self-closing joint where a spring-like element bringsthe door 1715 closed upon release when in an open state). In moredetail, an embodiment may actuate door 1715 using wired comments fromanother modular component connected to the APM 1710. In such an example,an exemplary cargo door 1715 on APM 1710 may be movably attached to aperipheral edge of base adapter platform 2005 using joint 2020, and thedoor as an assembly may include a door actuator 2070 and a door actuatordriver 2075. The door actuator 2070 may be configured as being fixed tothe base adapter platform 2005 and operative to move the cargo door1715. The door actuator driver 2075 may be coupled to the door actuator2070 as a control element, and responsive to a cargo door control inputfrom a control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700received over the command and data communication interface of themodular component electronics interface 2050. As such, the door actuatordriver 2075 causes the door actuator 2070 to move the cargo door 1715relative to the base adapter platform 2005 in response to the cargo doorcontrol input.

In some embodiments, the APM 1710 may further include a wirelesstransceiver interface 2065 to receive control input, such as the cargodoor control input, from authorized wireless control element (e.g., anexternal wireless node or a control element in another modular componentof apparatus 1700 communicating with APM 1710 over a wirelesscommunication path) and provide such control input to the door actuatordriver 2075. However, in other embodiments, the door actuator driver2075 may have its own integrated wireless transceiver built in. Thus,such an embodiment of door actuator driver 2075 may be coupled to thedoor actuator 2070 and responsive to an authorized wireless cargo doorcontrol input from a control component of the modular autonomous botapparatus 1700 (or an authorized external wireless node disposedexternal to the apparatus 1700), where the authorized wireless cargodoor control input is wirelessly received by the door actuator driver2075 causing the door actuator 2070 to move the cargo door 1715 relativeto the base adapter platform 2005 in response to the authorized wirelesscargo door control input.

In another embodiment, the exemplary cargo door 1715 may be implementedwith an actuated lock 2025 (e.g., an electro-mechanical lock with anactuated bolt or latch, an actuated latch, and a magnetic lock, and thelike having integrated driver circuitry for responding to control input)for securing the door 1715 electronically by a control component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 (or an authorized externalwireless node disposed external to the apparatus 1700). Theelectro-mechanical actuated lock 2025 may be one of several actuatedlocks (or latches) responsive to a door lock control input from such acontrol component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 (such asa controller in the MAM 1725). As such, the door lock control input maybe received by the actuated lock 2025 over the command and datacommunication interface of the modular component electronics interface2050 so that the actuated lock 2025 activates to open or secure thecargo door 1715 when the cargo door 1715 is in a raised/closed positionin response to the door lock control input. In an example where the doorlock control input is an authorized wireless control signal from awireless transceiver working with a control component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus (e.g., a wireless transceiver working with thecontroller on the MAM 1725), such an authorized wireless door lockcontrol input is wirelessly received by the actuated lock 2025, whichthen causes the actuated lock 2025 to activate to open or secure thecargo door 1715 when the cargo door 1715 is in a raised/closed position.In yet another example where the door lock control input is from anauthorized external wireless node disposed external to the apparatus1700 (such as a delivery recipient's smartphone operating as a mobile IDnode or mobile master node), the authorized wireless door lock controlinput may have the same effect of controlling the opening or closing ofthe actuated lock 2025.

As noted above, an embodiment of APM 1710 may be implemented withoutdoor 1715 in order to be compatible with a CSS 1720 that may beimplemented with its own door (which may be an actuated door controlledthrough the CSS 1720 and its onboard electronics and actuated devices).As such, an exemplary door-less embodiment of APM 1710 may having a baseadapter platform similar to that of platform 2025, but configuredwithout door 1715 extending from one of the peripheral edges of platform2025. Such an exemplary door-less embodiment of APM 1710 may furtherinclude at least an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the baseadapter platform (such as power source 2030) and a modular componentelectronics interface (similar to interface 2050 described above havingan output power outlet coupled to the auxiliary power source and acommand and data communication interface to at least another modularcomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus).

In a further embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatadditional articulating structure (as shown in FIGS. 20C-20E) may bedeployed as part of an exemplary APM 1710 (or BAPM or CSS components1720) to help load or unload/dispense an item/object being transportedwithin an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 in an automatedmanner without operator intervention. This may be helpful in anembodiment where the MB unit 1705 is not operable to tilt (at all orsufficiently) or otherwise change its level/orientation to accommodatesuch a loading or unloading operation.

For example and as shown in FIG. 20C, an exemplary embodiment may deployan actuated belt surface 2080 a, 2080 b on the bed or base 2005 (and insome embodiments on the door 1715) of the APM 1710 such that actuationof the belt surface 2080 a, 2080 b moves an item/object on the APM 1710(e.g., an object within a CSS unit 1720 being supported by the MB 1705and APM 1710 (or BAPM)). Such an actuated belt surface 2080 a, 2080 cmay be built into the APM/BAPM 1710 and responsive to control inputsfrom control/actuating electronics of the MB 1705, APM/BAPM 1710, or MAMcomponents 115.

In more detail, an embodiment may deploy one or more actuated beltsurfaces 2085 and a belt surface actuator driver coupled to andcontrolling the actuated belt surface 2085. In this embodiment, theactuated belt surface (such as belt surfaces 2080 a, 2080 b) is disposedabove the top side of the base adapter platform 2005 and/or on an innerside of the cargo door 1715. The belt surface actuator driver isoperatively coupled to and controls movement of the actuated beltsurface by being responsive to a belt control input generated acomponent of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., the controller orprocessor in the MAM unit 1725) or an external wireless node. As such,the belt surface actuator driver is responsive to cause the respectiveactuated belt surface on the base 2005 and/or door 1715 to move the itembeing shipped relative to the base 2005 and/or door 1715 in response tothe belt control input. In some embodiments, the belt surface actuatordriver may be responsive to an authorized belt control input generatedby an external wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomousbot apparatus. As such, the belt surface actuator driver may cause therespective actuated belt surface on the base 2005 and/or door 1715 tomove the item being shipped relative to the base 2005 and/or door 1715in response to the wireless authorized belt control input.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 20D, one or more actuatedsliding arms 2085 may be disposed and actuated to move on guiderails2086 a, 2086 b on the APM/BAPM 1710 so as to responsively sweep theinside of the storage compartment defined by the CSS 1720 and APM/BAPMcomponents 1710 from the back towards the front where storeditems/objects may be dispensed (e.g., towards the door 1715 of the APM1710). Such actuated sliding arms 2085 may be built into the APM/BAPM1710 and responsive to control inputs from control/actuating electronicsof the MB 1705, APM/BAPM 1710, or MAM components 1725. Such actuatedsliding arms may, in some embodiments, be incorporated into the CSS unit1720 and may be disposed at one or more different heights within the CSS1720. In an embodiment having multiple sliding arms, internal proximitysensors may be disposed within the CSS unit 1720 and focused inward soas to detect object height so that particular ones of the sliding armsmay be selected for actuation to move the item/object or items/objectsstored within the CSS 1720.

In more detail, an embodiment may deploy one or more actuated slidingarms 2085 and a sliding arm actuator driver coupled to and controllingthe actuated sliding arm 2085. In this embodiment, the actuated slidingarm 2085 is disposed above the top side of the base adapter platform2005. The sliding arm actuator driver is operatively coupled to andcontrols movement of the actuated sliding arm 2085 by being responsiveto a sliding arm control input generated a component of the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus (e.g., the controller or processor in the MAM unit1725) or an external wireless node. As such, the sliding arm actuatordriver is responsive to cause one or more of the actuated sliding arms2090 to engage/contact the item being shipped, and slide or otherwisemove the item being shipped at least towards the cargo door 1715 of thebase adapter platform 2005 in response to the sliding arm control input.In some embodiments, the sliding arm actuator driver may be responsiveto an authorized sliding arm control input generated by an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus.As such, the sliding arm actuator driver may cause the actuated slidingarm 2090 to move or slide the item being shipped at least towards thecargo door 1715 of the base adapter platform 2005 in response to thewireless authorized sliding arm control input.

In a similar exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 20E, one or moreactuated movable grabbing arms 2090 (including an articulated grip head2095) may be disposed on the APM/BAPM 1710 so as to responsively movewithin the inside of the storage compartment defined by the CSS 1720 andAPM/BAPM components 1710 and move one or more items/objects so as toload or unload such items/objects. Such actuated movable grabbing arms2090/2095 may have multiple degrees of freedom, be built into theAPM/BAPM 1710 and responsive to control inputs from control/actuatingelectronics of the MB 1705, APM/BAPM 1710, or MAM components 1725. Suchactuated movable grabbing arms 2090/2095 may, in some embodiments, beincorporated into the CSS unit 1720. In this embodiment, internalproximity sensors within the CSS unit 1720 may detect the relativelocation of such objects so that the actuated movable grabbing arms2090/2095 are able to obtain control of the item/object or items/objectsstored within the CSS 1720 and move such objects when loading orunloading/dispensing. In this manner, the item/object may be loaded intothe storage compartment defined by the CSS 1720 and APM/BAPM components1710 as well unloaded and dispensed from such a storage compartment.

In more detail, an embodiment may deploy an actuated grabbing arm2090/2095 and a grabbing arm actuator driver coupled to and controllingthe actuated grabbing arm 2090/2095. In this embodiment, the actuatedgrabbing arm 2090/2095 is disposed above the top side of the baseadapter platform 2005, and has a stationary base 2091 coupled to the topside of the base adapter platform 2005, a movable grabbing arm 2092coupled to the stationary base 2091 with multiple degrees of freedom ofmovement, and grip head 2095 disposed on the distal end of the movablegrabbing arm 2092 where the grip head 2095 is articulable to grab ontothe item being shipped as disposed on the top side of the base adapterplatform 2005. The grabbing arm actuator driver is operatively coupledto and controls movement of the actuated grabbing arm 2090/2095 by beingresponsive to a grabbing arm control input generated a component of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., the controller or processor in theMAM unit 1725) or an external wireless node. As such, the grabbing armactuator driver is responsive to cause the actuated grabbing arm 2090 tomove towards the item being shipped, cause the grip head 2095 to grabonto the item being shipped, and cause the actuated grabbing arm 2090 tomove the item being shipped as maintained within the grip head 2095 atleast towards the cargo door 1715 of the base adapter platform 2005 inresponse to the grabbing arm control input. In some embodiments, thegrabbing arm actuator driver may be responsive to an authorized grabbingarm control input generated by an external wireless node disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus. As such, the grabbingarm actuator driver may cause the actuated grabbing arm 2090 to movetowards the item being shipped, cause the grip head 2095 to grab ontothe item being shipped, and cause the actuated grabbing arm 2090 to movethe item being shipped as maintained within the grip head 2095 at leasttowards the cargo door 1715 of the base adapter platform 2005 inresponse to the wireless authorized grabbing arm control input.

To further assist with loading and/or unloading/dispensing, anembodiment of an APM/BAPM 1710 may include articulated deployment of anextendible ramp from door 1715 having its own automatically actuatedbelt surface (as part of the APM or BAPM 1710 and similar to theactuated belt surface 2080 a shown in FIG. 20C). An exemplary extendibleramp may be implemented as part of door 1715 so as to articulate outfrom an opposing end of the cargo door 1715 opposite the one of theperipheral edges of the base adapter platform 2005. Such an extendibleramp, which may have an actuated belt surface similar to the actuatedbelt surface 2080 a shown in FIG. 20C, may further allow for enhancedand improved transferring capabilities for an object to/from a user oranother device external to the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 (suchas a delivery vehicle or another exemplary MALVT bot apparatus). Assuch, an exemplary extendible ramp may be automatically extended fromthe APM/BAPM (or MB or CSS) under control of one of the components ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., the controller or processor inthe MAM unit), and its surface actuated to help move an object out of orinto the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. For example, an embodiment mayhave such an exemplary extendible ramp being responsive to a ramp deploycontrol input generated by a component of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus (e.g., the controller or processor in the MAM unit) toarticulate the extendible ramp relative to the cargo door 1715. In moredetail, an embodiment with such an extendible ramp may include anactuated belt surface disposed on a top side of the extendible ramp(e.g., a conveyor belt surface having an actuator motor that drives theconveyor belt as the actuated belt surface), and a belt actuator drivercoupled to the actuated belt surface as a type of control circuit thatactivates the actuated belt surface. Such a belt actuator driver isresponsive to a belt control input generated by a control component ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus, and causes the actuated beltsurface to move relative to the extendible ramp in response to the beltcontrol input once the cargo door is in a deployed position. In someembodiments, the belt actuator driver may be responsive to an authorizedbelt control input generated by an external wireless node disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus. As such, the beltactuator driver may the actuated belt surface to move relative to theextendible ramp in response to the wireless authorized belt controlinput once the cargo door is in a deployed position.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that exemplary embodiments ofan exemplary APM 1710 may have its wireless transceiver and actuatordrivers implemented using an ID node or a master node that can providethe localized control input signal generation to provide to differentactuators deployed on parts of the exemplary APM 1710.

Cargo Storage System (CSS) Component

FIGS. 21-27C provide further details on aspects and embodiments ofexemplary cargo storage system (CSS) components (such as CSS 1720) thatmay be used on an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700. In more detail,FIG. 21 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly 2100 of an exemplarymobility base (MB) unit/component 1705 paired with an exemplaryauxiliary power module (APM) component 1710 and an exemplary cargostorage component (CSS) 1720 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. An exemplary CSS unit/component 1720, as shown in FIG. 21, isdisposed on top of exemplary MB unit 1705, or exemplary APM 1710 (see,e.g., FIGS. 21, 22A). In general, embodiments of the CSS component 1720of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may serve as a modular, strong,lightweight, weather-resistant container structure for cargo. Anembodiment of CSS 1720 may utilize an integrated, downward opening cargodoor 1715 of an exemplary APM 1710 that may also serve as an item/object(e.g., package) “slide”. As noted above, an embodiment may have theobject or cargo door 1715 being retractable into the base of APM 1710for situations that would not make an outwardly folding door feasible.Further, an alternative embodiment of CSS 1720 may have its own actuatedcargo door, as explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 26.

The embodiment of exemplary CSS 1720 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22A has threejointed sides/walls 2105 and with a locking handle 2115 that operateslatches 2110, which may be operated to secure and fasten the CSScomponent 1720 to the APM component 1710 below (as well as to the MAMcomponent 1725 above). Jointed side/walls 2105 are collectively a set offolding structural walls configured to at least partially enclose apayload area above a base platform (e.g., base adapter platform 2005 ofexemplary APM 1710) and on at least three sides above the base platform.Thus, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22A, the jointed sides/walls 2105 form aset of vertical boundaries on the at least three sides of the payloadarea.

As shown in FIG. 21, the exemplary locking handle 2115 and exemplarylatches 2110 of exemplary CSS 1720 include longitudinal support latches2120 where each has a top interlocking latch and a bottom interlockinglatch that, collectively, move to engage a mating set of latches (e.g.,interlocking latches) on components below and above the CSS 1720 (e.g.,an APM component 1710 and a MAM component 1725). In such a manner, thelocking handles 2115 and latches 2110 may be disposed on one or more ofthe sides/walls 2105 of CSS 1720 so as to allow for secure attachment ofCSS 1720 to the APM 1710 below and MAM 1725 above at one or more pointsof the periphery where the CSS 1720 meets with the APM 1710 and wherethe CSS 1720 meets with MAM 1725. As assembled where the CSS 1720 isattached to the APM 1710 and MAM 1725, those skilled in the art willappreciate that door 1715 of the APM 1710 may be raised or otherwisearticulated into a closed position to close off a storage area withinCSS 1720 below the attached MAM 1725.

The exemplary CSS 1720 includes a power and data conduit or transportthat provides communication and power interconnections between the APMcomponent 1710 and the MAM component 1725. In an embodiment, thepositive CSS locking mechanism (e.g., via handles 2215 and latches 2110)may also integrate and provide the power and data transport conduit(e.g., a modular component power and data transport bus 2250 as shown inFIG. 22B) that may be disposed as an integral part of one of the walls2105 and connected between the high-level modular components so thatlocking and latching CSS 1720 to APM 1710 engages interfaces to thepower and data conduit (e.g., modular component power and data transportbus 2250) on the APM 1710. Similar locking and latching of the CSS 1720to a MAM 1725 provide and facilitate engagement of additional power anddata interfaces on the MAM 1725 so as to allow the power and dataconduit of CSS 1720 to be a modular interconnection between the APM 1710and MAM 1725 assembled with the CSS 1720 and MB 1705 as part ofexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22A, the exemplary CSS 1720 is shown asbeing deployed with exemplary locking notches 2200 along its top andbottom (e.g., on the top edge and/or bottom edge of one of thesides/walls 2105). Such exemplary locking notches 2200 may be used in anembodiment of CSS 1720 to mate to corresponding interlocking structureon an APM 1710 below and/or MAM 1725 above. In this way, locking notches2200 may provide another type of lockable connection with the APM 1710below and the MAM 1725 above when assembled as part of an exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus 1700.

Exemplary CSS component 1720 may be implemented with some or all ofsides 2105 having branded graphics or with some or all sides havingelectronic screen displays 2205 for displayed graphics controlled bycontrol electronics in MB 1705 or MAM 1725) depending on the operationaluse case with logos, identification information, warning labels andsymbols, and other information useful in the logistics management andmovement of what is temporarily stored and maintained with theparticular CSS component 1720. An embodiment of such an electronicscreen (generally referred to as an electronic display interface) on aside/wall 2105 of an exemplary CSS 1720 may be implemented as atranslucent panel, similar to that described above relative to the cargodoor for an APM component 1710, capable of displaying information viamicro-projection or an embedded translucent LCD display grid that may becontrolled or drive by a control element on assembly 1700. Morespecifically, display 2205 may be disposed on one of the foldingstructural walls 2105 as electronic display interface that is to amodular component power and data transport bus within the CSS 1720 anddriven by a control element also coupled to such a bus so as to generatea visual message on the wall 2105 via the display 2205.

The exemplary CSS 1720 shown in FIG. 22A may also be deployed withphysical sensing units for internal monitoring and managing of the CSScontents (e.g., one or more proximity sensors for detecting an objectheight of what may be moved by one or more sliding arms within the CSS)and that may communicate with the MAM 1725 attached above the CSS 1720.As will be explained in more detail below, such monitoring sensors maywork in conjunction with articulating structure deployed as part ofexemplary CSS 1720 (e.g., an articulating sliding arm or grabbing arm asshown in FIGS. 27A-27C) to help locate and direct movement of sucharticulating structure that engages and moves the item/object beingshipped within the CSS 1720.

The exemplary CSS 1720 shown in FIG. 22A has a detachable modularclimate control module 2210. In general, an exemplary climate controlmodule 2210 may be a replaceable item detachably mounted to an interiorside of one of the sides/walls 2105 (which may be insulated structuralwalls) on demand and as needed depending on the item/object to beshipped or transported. The exemplary climate control module generallyhas a climate control element (e.g., a heater and/or a cooling device)along with environmental sensors for the transport and monitoring oftemperature sensitive items along with feedback and environmentalcontrol coupled to the climate control element. In more detail, anexemplary embodiment of detachable modular climate control module 2210may be coupled to a modular component power and data transport buswithin CSS 1720 (such as transport bus 2250), which provides access toat least power for the climate control module 2210 and, in someembodiments, control input for the climate control module 2210. As such,the climate control module 2210 can operate to heat or cool (or humidifyor de-humidify) so as to alter an environment next to the climatecontrol module 2210 (e.g., the payload area within the CSS 1720) tomaintain a desired environment next to the climate control module 2210.The detachable modular climate control module 2210 may be temporarilyattached to the insulated structural wall 2105, but can be removed whenthe set of folding insulated structural walls 2105 making up anembodiment of the CSS 1720 is configured in a folded into a stored state(such as that shown in FIGS. 23 and 24) or when removing the climatecontrol module 2210 to replace it with another climate control module2210 (e.g., to recharge the current climate control module, to use adifferent type of climate control module, and the like).

FIG. 22B is a block diagram showing further details of an exemplarymodular cargo storage system component in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Referring now to FIG. 22B, a diagram of an exemplarymodular cargo storage system component 1720 as a functional blockdiagram of different elements that may be disposed on a side/wall 2105(or different sides/walls 2105 that make up CSS 1720). For example, anexemplary modular component power and data transport bus 2250 isdisposed on wall 2105. In this embodiment, while bus 2250 is showndisposed separate from where latches 2110 a, 2110 b with longitudinalsupport latches 2120 a, 2120 b run from top to bottom of the wall 2105,other embodiments may place the bus 2250 between such latches andsupport latches. In more detail, the exemplary modular component powerand data transport bus 2250 shown in FIG. 22B has a top side modularcomponent electronics interface 2255 a and a bottom side modularcomponent electronics interface 2255 b. The top side modular componentelectronics interface 2255 a may be disposed on a top edge of wall 2105,and the bottom side modular component electronics interface 2255 b maybe disposed on a bottom edge of the wall 2105. Each of the top andbottom side modular component electronics interfaces 2255 a, 2255 b hasa power conduit outlet and a command and data communication interface.The power conduit outlet in the interface allows for power to be used byCSS 1720 and shared to other components of assembly 1700 (i.e., powermay be provided through this power conduit through CSS 1720 and madeavailable for active electronics used on and deployed with CSS 1720,such as wireless interface 2215, display 2205, actuators for the handle,locks, or other articulating structured deployed on CSS 7120).

As shown in FIG. 22B, exemplary side/wall 2105 is shown with latches2110 a, 2110 b and locking handle 2115 disposed on side/wall 2105 as atype of interlocking alignment interface. The locking handle 2115, asshown in FIG. 22B (and as explained above) can be manually and/orelectronically actuated to cause the set of latches 2110 a, 2110 b tointerlock with at least the base platform on APM 1710 and withcorresponding latches or notches on MAM 1725. In more detail, exemplarylatches 2110 a, 2110 b may be implemented using a pair of longitudinalsupport latches 2120 a, 2120 b slidably attached to wall 2105 andcoupled to the locking handle 2115. The longitudinal support latches2120 a, 2120 b have top interlocking latches disposed above a top of thewall 2105 and a bottom interlocking latch disposed above a bottom of thewall 2105. As such, movement of the locking handle 2115 (e.g., arotational movement of handle 2115) actuates a sliding movement of atleast one of the longitudinal support latches 2120 a, 2120 b relative tothe other in a first direction to cause the set of latches 2110 a, 2110b to move and engage correlating to latching structure on the APM 1710and MAM 1725. Moving the locking handle 2115 in the other directionactuates the sliding movement of at least one of the longitudinalsupport latches relative to the other of the longitudinal supportlatches in an opposite direction. For example, such sliding movement inresponse to actuation of the locking handle 2115 may move the topinterlocking latches 2110 a on each of the longitudinal support latches2120 a, 2120 b towards each other above the top of the wall 2105 toengage a mating set of latches on a component of the modular autonomousbot apparatus 1700 disposed above the modular CSS 1720 (e.g., anexemplary MAM 1725). Likewise, such sliding movement of both of thelongitudinal support latches 2120 a, 2120 b in response to actuation ofthe locking handle 2115 may also move the bottom interlocking latches2110 b on each of the longitudinal support latches 2120 a, 2120 btowards each other below the bottom of the wall 2105 to engage a matingset of latches on the base platform below the modular CSS 1720 (e.g.,the base adapter platform 2005 of an exemplary APM 1710).

As shown in FIG. 22B, an exemplary CSS 1720 may deploy equipment thatfacilitates electronically actuation of the locking handle 2115 viawireless signals received through a wireless transceiver interface 2215and passed to a handle actuator 2225, other remote control signalsprovided to the handle actuator 2225 from the modular component powerand data transport bus 2250, and/or via input to a locally disposed userinput panel (e.g., keypad, switch, button(s), touchscreen, and thelike). For example, locking handle 2115 may be implemented as anactuated electro-mechanical locking handle responsive to a latch lockingcontrol input from a control component of the modular autonomous botapparatus (e.g., a controller in exemplary MAM 1725 communicatingthrough bus 2250). Such a latch locking control input received by theactuated electro-mechanical locking handle over the modular componentpower and data transport bus 2250 may actuate the set of latches 2110 a,2110 b in response to the latch locking control input. In anotherexample, such an actuated electro-mechanical locking handle may beresponsive to an authorized wireless latch locking control input from acontrol component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus (e.g., acontroller in exemplary MAM 1725 communicating through its onboardwireless transceiver). The electro-mechanical locking handle may have anintegrated wireless transceiver or may be response to handle actuator2225 via separate wireless transceiver interface 2215. The wirelesslatch locking control input may, as such, be wirelessly received by theactuated electro-mechanical locking handle causing the actuatedelectro-mechanical locking handle to actuate the set of latches 2110 a,2110 b in response to the authorized wireless latch locking controlinput, which may be provided by an external wireless node disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 authorized tounlock locking handle 2115. For example, a key code may be needed fromthe external wireless node to authenticate the wireless node and treatany control signal from the external wireless node as being authorizedto lock or unlock the actuated locking handle 2115. In still anotherexample, such an actuated electro-mechanical locking handle may beresponsive to latch locking control input provided through user inputpanel 2220, which is then supplied to handle actuator 2225.

FIG. 22B also shows exemplary climate control module 2210 disposed onwall 2105. In some embodiments, exemplary climate control module 2210may be battery powered, and/or self-regulating with a built-inenvironmental sensor to sense the environment next to the climatecontrol module 2210 and a feedback thermostat integrated as part of themodule using sensor data from the environmental sensor as a basis foraltering the environment next to the climate control module 2210 tomaintain the desired environment next to the climate control module 2210(and within exemplary CSS 1720 when a cargo door closes the payload areawithin CSS 1720).

In other embodiments, exemplary climate control module 2210 may acceptexternal power and/or remote commands/control input through modularcomponent power and data transport bus 2250. For example, exemplaryclimate control module 2210 may be responsive to a climate control inputfrom a control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700where the climate control input is received by the climate controlmodule 2210 the modular component power and data transport bus 2250. Assuch, the exemplary climate control module 2210 may alter theenvironment next to the climate control module 2210 to maintain thedesired environment next to the climate control module 2210 (and withinexemplary CSS 1720 when a cargo door closes the payload area within CSS1720) in response to the climate control input from the controlcomponent through bus 2250. In still other embodiments, exemplaryclimate control module 2210 may accept wireless commands/control inputfrom such a control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus1700 that is enabled with a wireless transceiver or from an authorizedexternal wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus 1700.

FIG. 22B further shows CSS 1720 may include exemplary sensors 2235a-2235 c and sensor interface 2230. Exemplary sensor interface 2230 maybe implemented with, for example, circuitry for buffering, processing,and/or interfacing with bus 2250. Other embodiments of sensor interface2230 may implement a sensor wireless interface dedicated for sensor databroadcasting without the need to interface with bus 2250 or in additionto providing the sensor data on bus 2250). As noted above, an embodimentof one or more of such sensors 2235 a-2235 c may be implemented as oneor more proximity sensors for detecting the position and/or height of anitem/object that may be moved by articulating object manipulationstructure deployed within the CSS (as shown in FIGS. 27A-27C). Inanother example, one or more of such sensors 2235 a-2235 c may beimplemented as environmental sensors used for payload monitoring by MAM1725 and/or climate monitoring within CSS 1720 as part of feedback forcontrolling climate control module 2210. Embodiments of sensors 2235a-2235 c may be disposed on one or more internal sides of at least oneof the folding structural walls 2105 of an exemplary CSS 1720 so thatthe sensors may monitor contents of the modular CSS 1720 in the payloadarea and/or a current environmental condition in the payload area.Sensor data from sensors 2235 a-2235 c may be provided through interface2230 to bus 2250 (or directly to bus 2250), or to wireless interface2215 through interface 2230 (or directly to wireless interface 2230) toan authorized recipient of such sensor data (e.g., an authorized controlcomponent of apparatus 1700 or an authorized external wireless nodedisposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700).

To support storage of CSS units 1720, an embodiment of the CSS component1720 may be implemented as a foldable component having a folding storagecapability via, for example, hinged sides or walls 2105 such as shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, respectively. FIG. 23 shows a folded configuration fora single exemplary modular cargo storage system (CSS) 1720, while FIG.24 shows multiple exemplary modular cargo storage system components 1720a-1720 c in the folded configuration and stacked as they may bemaintained prior to assembly at a bot storage facility or location inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. As part of the assemblyof a CSS component 1720 into being part of an exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700, the CSS component 1720 may be unfolded from the foldedconfiguration or stored state (as shown in FIG. 23), and aligned intochannels (e.g., channels 2010 of the APM) to guide CSS 1720 into properposition with the other major components (MB 1705, APM 1710, and MAM1725) and then secured in the proper position.

As explained above, positive locking mechanisms (e.g., locking handle2115 and latches 2110) may be actuated electronically (such as viacontrol signals from controllers or control processing systems within MB1705 or MAM 1725) or, in some cases, actuated manually by handles 2115integrated into the side 2105 of the foldable container may be employedto mechanically secure the major components (i.e., MB 1705, APM 1710,CSS 1720, and the MAM 1725). In this way, an exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700 may be assembled as a modular assembly, with componentsthat may be interchanged and swapped out, and provisioned rapidly, withmovement of the handle 2115 of the positive locking mechanism. Thelocking latches (e.g., secured by rotating the CSS locking handle 2115shown in FIG. 21 or actuated as described above into the assembledposition) may be locked via a key, a user input panel 2220 (e.g., akeypad, or touch interface) disposed on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700 or secured via other types of locking systems (e.g., onboardcameras for biometric scan or facial recognition using sensors oncomponents of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700, key code entry orelectronic code interrogation using human or machine communicationinterfaces with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700, or nodeassociation-based unlocking based upon on authorized node-to-nodeassociations).

As shown in FIG. 25, the form factor (e.g., height or other sizecharacteristic) of an exemplary CSS 1720 may vary depending on theintended use or deployment application for the particular CSS component1720. For example and as shown in FIG. 25, one exemplary CSS 1720 d maybe a taller type for use in less obstructed areas (such as in streets)while another exemplary CSS 1720 e may be a shorter type for use in morelimited areas (such as on sidewalks).

In still another embodiment, an alternate configuration of an exemplaryCSS 1720 may be implemented as having an actuated or manually operatedintegrated cargo door as part of or in place of one of the sides 2105 ofCSS 1720. In such an embodiment, the integrated cargo door may use ajoint, such as mounted hinge, that may be operated similar to the cargodoor 1715 of the APM 1710 as described above when loading and unloadingcargo. A further embodiment may have an exemplary CSS 1710 configuredwith a cargo door in addition to the three sides/walls 2105 shown in theembodiments described above. In this further embodiment, the cargo doormay slide, retract, extend out, or otherwise open relative to the othersides 2105 manually or in an actuated manner. In other words, thisfurther embodiment has an integrated cargo door on the CSS 1720 that maybe similarly implemented in how it may be articulated and configuredwith actuators and/or other structure to support the samecharacteristics of the bottom mounted door 1715 of the APM 1710,including self-closing and locking capability.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of such an alternative embodiment of an exemplarymodular cargo storage system (CSS) having an exemplary actuated cargodoor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now toFIG. 26, an embodiment of an exemplary CSS 1720 f is shown having threesides/walls 2105 a-2105 c being jointed structural walls, and with acargo door 2600 as a fourth type of wall, but one that opens to provideaccess within the payload area within CSS 1720 f. In more detail,exemplary CSS cargo door 2600 is configure with one or more joints 2605that movably attach door 2600 to one of the walls 2105 c so that thedoor may be selectively opened to provide such access within the payloadarea within CSS 1720 f and closed to secure and vertically enclose thepayload area.

Exemplary joint(s) 2605 may be implemented as a simple mechanical hinge,which in some embodiments may be spring loaded so as to actuated toself-close. In other embodiments, exemplary joint(s) 2605 may beactuated to open/close using an integrated door actuator as part of thejoint itself or via a separate door actuator 2610 fixed to the cargodoor 2600 and operative to selectively cause the cargo door 2600 moveand provide access to within the payload area. Embodiments may also havea door actuator driver 215 coupled to the door actuator 2610 forcontrolling the operation of the door actuator 2610. For example, thedoor actuator driver 2615 may be responsive to a cargo door controlinput from a control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus1700 (e.g., a controller in the MB 1705 or MAM 1725) over bus 2250 orwirelessly transmitted from such an authorized control component withinapparatus 1700 or an authorized external wireless node disposed externalto the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700. As such, the cargo doorcontrol input received by door actuator driver 2615 causes the dooractuator 2610 to selectively move the cargo door in response to thecargo door control input. A further embodiment may have such a cargodoor control input being generated from user input panel 2220 with inputthat reflects an authorized permission to have the door 2600 opened(e.g., via entry of a code). Further embodiments may use an externalsensor for other m

An embodiment of cargo door 2600 on CSS 1720 f may include an actuatedlock 2620 (e.g., an electro-mechanical lock, magnetic lock, and thelike) responsive to door lock control input signals from a controlcomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 (e.g., acontroller in the MB 1705 or MAM 1725) over bus 2250 or wirelesslytransmitted from such an authorized control component within apparatus1700 or an authorized external wireless node disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus 1700. Similar to the actuated lockingsystems described above (e.g., related to the locking latches andlocking handle), cargo door 2600 may use an actuated lock 2620responsive to other signals or input that operate as the authorized doorlock control input signal, such as input received over user input panel2220 (e.g., key code entry via a keypad, buttons, or touch interface)disposed on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 or via a specific userinput panel 2630 disposed on the cargo door 2600, input received from anexternally focused sensor or camera on the CSS 1720 f or other componentof the apparatus 1700 (e.g., a sensor on the MAM 1725) for biometricscan or facial recognition, key code entry, or input received fromelectronic code interrogation using human or machine communicationinterfaces with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700, or nodeassociation-based unlocking based upon on authorized node-to-nodeassociations.

A further embodiment of door 2600 on CSS 1720 f may have a translucentdoor panel 2625 disposed on it as a type of electronic display interfacewhere visual messages may be generated and shown with symbols andgenerated characters. Such a translucent panel 2625 may be implementedsimilar to that of translucent panel 2030 on the door 1715 on APM 1710in that it allows visibility through the cargo door while also beingoperative to generate the visual message on the cargo door withgenerated characters (e.g., prompted instructions related to delivery ofthe item being shipped, electronically displayed information about theitem being shipped, and the like).

FIGS. 27A-27C are diagrams of embodiments of an exemplary modular cargostorage system (CSS) having different types of exemplary actuated orarticulating object manipulation systems (e.g., actuated sliding arms,actuated grabbing arms) disposed on one of the walls of the CSS inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, FIG. 27Aillustrates an exemplary actuated sliding arm 2700 disposed and actuatedto move on guiderails 2705 a, 2705 b on a wall 2105 of exemplary CSS1720. In some embodiments, the actuated sliding arm, as an assembly, isintegrated with one of the walls 2015 of CSS 1720. However, otherembodiments may deploy the actuated sliding arm as a detachable modulethat can be mounted to one of the walls 2015 of CSS 1705.

In more detail, exemplary actuated sliding arm 2700 may be disposed asan assembly (with the arm 2700 mounted to sliding bases that run withinguiderails 2705 a, 2705 b in response to sliding arm control input).Such an actuated sliding arm assembly may be coupled to the modularcomponent power and data transport bus 2250 so as to at least power theactuated sliding arm assembly. More specifically, the exemplary actuatedsliding arm assembly may include the actuated sliding arm 2700 removablyaffixed to the one of the folding structural walls, and a sliding armactuator driver coupled to the actuated sliding arm 2700 and responsiveto a sliding arm control input generated by a control component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 (e.g., a controller in the MAM1725) or to an authorized wireless sliding arm control input generatedby an external wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomousbot apparatus 1700 or by a wireless transceiver in another component ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700. As such, the sliding armactuator driver may the actuated sliding arm 2700 to move the item beingshipped within the payload area in response to the sliding arm controlinput, such as that shown in FIG. 27B.

FIG. 27C is a diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary modular cargostorage system (CSS) having an exemplary actuated grabbing arm disposedon one of the walls of the CSS in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 27C, CSS 1720 has an exemplary actuatedgrabbing arm assembly 2710 disposed on a wall 2105, which may be fixedor detachably disposed on the wall 2105. The assembly 2710 includes astationary base 2715 removably attached to the wall 2105, a movablegrabbing arm 2720 coupled to the stationary base 2715 with multipledegrees of freedom of movement, and grip head 2725 disposed on thedistal end of the movable grabbing arm 2720 where the grip head 2725 isarticulable to grab onto the item being shipped as disposed within CSS1720. The grabbing arm actuator driver is operatively coupled to andcontrols movement of the actuated grabbing arm assembly 2710 by beingresponsive to sensor data from internal sensors (e.g., proximity sensors2235 a-2235 c) indicating a location of the item) and a grabbing armcontrol input generated by a component of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700 (e.g., the controller or processor in the MAM unit 1725)or an external wireless node or a wireless transceiver within acomponent of the bot apparatus 1700. In this way, the grabbing armactuator driver (a) detects the item being shipped using the sensordata, (b) causes the actuated grabbing arm 2720 to move towards the itembeing shipped, (c) causes the grip head 2725 to grab onto the item beingshipped, and (d) causes the actuated grabbing arm assembly 2710 to movethe item being shipped as maintained within the grip head 2725 fromwithin the payload area to outside the payload area in response to thegrabbing arm control input.

Mobile Autonomy Module (MAM) Component

As noted above, exemplary MAM 1725 is an example of a control componentof apparatus 1700 deployed with sensors, lights, displays, an autonomouscontrol system that interacts with other components of apparatus 1700while providing a “hat” like cover for a CSS 1720 and its payload area,and payload monitoring capabilities as part of modular autonomous botapparatus (such as exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700). FIGS. 28-31provide illustrations of an exemplary Mobile Autonomy Module (MAM) 1725as shown by itself with its components, while FIG. 32 illustrates anexemplary MAM 1725 as part of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 inan assembled configuration and FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary MAM 1725operating as part of apparatus 1700 in an exemplary system where the MAM1725 may communicate with a server and/or mobile wireless external nodesoperated by a supplier and a delivery recipient.

Referring now to FIG. 28, exemplary MAM 1725 is shown from its exterioras a top-level control component/device for the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700. An exemplary MAM 1725, such as that shown in FIGS.28-33, may be deployed similar to that of a master node implementedautonomous control system that communicates and controls othercomponents of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 in the assembledconfiguration, has user interfaces and location circuitry, as well ascommunicates with other nodes through wired connections and wirelessconnections. In more detail, an embodiment of MAM 1725 may beimplemented, for example, with a detachable modular housing having ahorizontally-oriented base cover 2800 configured to detachably cover thepayload area vertically defined by walls 2105 of CSS 1720 and cargo door1715 of APM 1705 when the MAM 1725 is attached on top of the modular CSS1720 as part of the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700. The basecover 2800 has a curved top side (as shown in FIGS. 28-29), a bottomside (as shown in FIGS. 30A-30B), and peripheral sides or edges uponwhich lights 2820 and multi-element light panels 2825, 2900 may bedisposed as well as mounting tabs 2807 that help in mounting MAM 1725onto an exemplary CSS 1720. In some embodiments, such peripheralsides/edges may also include other displays (similar to displays 2815 a,2815 b) and sensors (similar to sensors 2810). In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 28-29, the detachable housing has base cover 2800 with avertically-oriented raised display support 2805 protruding up from thetop side of the base cover 2800. While the display support 2805 shown inFIGS. 28-29 is disposed across from the left side of cover 2800 to theright side of cover 2800, other embodiments of display support 2805 foran exemplary MAM 1725 may position the display support 2805 disposed oncover 2800 in other configurations—e.g., disposed from the front to theback of cover 2800, disposed diagonally on top of cover 2800, and thelike.

The electronics elements used as part of MAM 1725 may be disposed indifferent parts of the detachable modular housing. For example, displays2815 a, 2815 b may be disposed on parts of cover 2800 (e.g., on eitherside of vertically-oriented raised display support 2805). Sensors 2810may be disposed on vertically-oriented raised display support 2805 (orother parts of cover 2800 in other embodiments) along with lights 2820that are externally focused. Exemplary lights 2830 may be, for example,disposed on peripheral sides of the base cover 2800, and selectivelypowered by an autonomous control system within MAM 1725 to enhanceprocessing of the sensor data from the external sensors 2810 and enhanceprocessing of the outside sensor data from the additional sensorsdisposed on MB 1705 as provided to MAM 1725.

In general, further components of MAM 1725 not shown on the exterior ofMAM 1725 in FIGS. 28-29 include a central controller and processinghardware similar to that of a master node that may include controlelectronics (e.g., one or more processors or microcontrollers as aprocessing system with local memory storage and volatile memory)operating as an autonomous control system or autonomous controller;location circuitry (such as a GPS chipset and antenna); wireless andwired communication interfaces for one or more hardware orsoftware-implemented radios; program code that, when executing on theprocessing and controller elements, governs control of the MAM 1725 (aswell as the apparatus 1700), sensor processing, autonomous movementcontrol of the apparatus 1700 (via communication with MB 1705),navigation for the apparatus 1700 (via control provided to MB 1705), andobject delivery control; and multiple command and data interfaces fordisplay outputs (e.g., via screens, displays, LED indicators), controloutput (e.g., for sending control signals to control elements of MB1705, APM 1710, and for sending control signals to control theenvironment within CSS 1720), and for sensor input from sensors on theMAM 1725 as well as sensors disposed in other components of apparatus1700 (e.g., sensors within CSS 1720, sensors deployed on the MB 1705,and the like).

FIGS. 30A-30B are diagrams of different bottom views of the exemplaryMAM 1725 of FIG. 28 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring now to FIG. 30A, a perspective view of exemplary MAM 1725 isillustrated showing features on the bottom side of base cover 2800, suchas exemplary set of latching points 3000 a, 3000 b. These latchingpoints may be incorporated on MAM 1725 as latches that work to couplethe detachable modular housing to the modular CSS 1720 of the modularautonomous bot apparatus 1700. For example, latching points 3000 a, 3000b may be implemented as fixed and passive latches that engage and mate(e.g., as interlocking latches) to an opposing set of moveable latches,such the movable latches 2110 a on CSS 1720 in response to actuatedmovement via handle 2115. As such, the detachable modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) may be secured to themodular CSS 1720 and cover the payload area when the passive latches3000 a, 3000 b are engaged with the opposing set of movable latches 2110a on CSS 1725.

Referring now to FIG. 30B, further elements of an exemplary MAM 1725 areshown on the bottom of the base cover 2800. For example, as shown inFIG. 30B, payload monitoring sensors are shown disposed on the bottomside of the base cover 2800 in removable payload sensor pods 3005 a,3005 b. Within such removable pods or modules, the payload monitoringsensors may be deployed to generate payload sensor data, which is thensent to the control system on the MAM 1725. Such payload sensor datareflects what is going on with items in the payload area or conditionsin the payload area (e.g., temperature, humidity, movement ofobjects/items, and the like). In more detail, with such internallyfocused payload monitoring sensors (shown as sensors 3130 in FIG. 31),an embodiment of MAM 1725 may also be able to sense if objects areinside the container (e.g., the storage area defined by CSS 1720 asassembled on top of APM 1710 and covered by MAM 1725), if objects havemoved, and detect a condition of the object. Exemplary removable payloadsensor pods 3005 a, 3005 b may be attached, removed, and swapped outwithin MAM 1725 according to a particular logistics operation tasked tothe MAM 1725.

Exemplary MAM 1725 may also have interior lights 3010 a, 3010 b disposedon the bottom side of the base cover 2800. Such lights 3010 a, 3010 bmay be activated by the control system in the MAM 1725, and may providelight to assist with the payload monitoring sensors (such as sensors3130 and sensors within payload sensor pods 3005 a, 3005 b) and/or toassist with loading and unloading items/objects from within the CSS 1720under the MAM 1725. In more detail, an example of exemplary interiorlights 3010 a, 3010 b may be payload focused lights disposed on thebottom of the base cover 2800, and selectively powered by the autonomouscontrol system 3100 to enhance processing of the payload sensor datafrom the payload monitoring sensors 3130 (e.g., payload sensors inpayload sensor pods 3005 a, 3005 b) disposed on the bottom side of thebase cover 2800).

Exemplary MAM 1725 may also have locking tab(s) 3015 disposed on thebottom side of the base cover 2800. Such locking tab(s) 3015 provide acorresponding interlocking structure on MAM 1725 that may interface toand secure with locking notches 2200 disposed on the top edge of wall2105 of an exemplary CSS 1720. As such, an exemplary MAM 1725 may bealigned on one edge with a CSS 1720 by mating the locking notches 2200of the CSS 1725 to the locking tab or tabs 3015 on the MAM 1725, andthen securing the MAM 1725 to the CSS 1720 via interlocking latches 2110a on CSS 1720 that are moved (e.g., manually or electronically actuated)to mate with interlocking latches 3000 a, 3000 b on MAM 1725.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing further details of an exemplarymobile autonomy module (MAM) in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring now to FIG. 31, exemplary elements of an embodimentof MAM 1725 are shown generally disposed in or on exemplary detachablemodular housing (e.g., in or on base cover 2800) including autonomouscontrol system 3100, displays 2815 a, 2815 b, sensors 2810, 3130, lights2820, 3010 a, 3010 b, wireless radio transceiver 3125, locationcircuitry 3110, secondary power source 3120, as well as a modularcomponent power and data transport bus 3115.

The exemplary autonomous control system 3100 is an implementation of atleast one controller or processor that is operatively connected to thesensor array of sensors 2810, 3130 through interfacing circuitry ordedicated sensor processing circuitry that may buffer sensor data andprocess the sensor data. As an autonomous controller, exemplaryautonomous control system 3100 has the power and self-governance in theperformance of sensor processing and responsive control functions thatallow the assembly 1700 to move, avoid collisions, navigate towardsspecified locations, and effect actuated and articulated interactionswhile moving or stationary as part of the logistics operations describedherein. Such an exemplary autonomous control system 3100 may beimplemented as an onboard processing module or system with one or moreprocessors or controllers (such as CPUs/GPUs) and program code orsoftware modules that execute on this platform to programmaticallyconfigure the autonomous control system 3100 to be operative to providethe autonomous capability to run an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700as discussed herein. For example, an exemplary controller/processor usedas the autonomous control system 3100 in the MAM 1725 may be implementedwith a central controller and processing hardware similar to that of amaster node that may include control electronics (e.g., one or moreprocessors or microcontrollers as a processing system with local memorystorage and volatile memory) operating as an autonomous control systemor autonomous controller that processes massive real-time data capturedby the sensor array by executing program code that, when executing,governs control of the MAM 1725 (as well as the apparatus 1700), sensorprocessing, autonomous movement control of the apparatus 1700 (viacommunication with MB 1705), navigation for the apparatus 1700 (viacontrol provided to MB 1705), and object delivery control.

An exemplary autonomous control system 3100 may also have redundant,fault-tolerant features for safety control, as well as parallel sensingand parallel processing that allows for common and/or distributedmanagement for operations of such an exemplary autonomous control system3100. For example, an embodiment of autonomous control system 3100 maydeploy distributed management where tasks may be offloaded from aparticular processor or system within autonomous control system 3100 andassigned (permanently or dynamically) to another processor or system(e.g., where a sensor may have processing of its sensor data built-in,which offloads the sensor data processing from another processor orsystem within an embodiment of autonomous control system 3100).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that exemplary autonomouscontrol system 3100 may, for example, be implemented with an NVIDIA®Jetson™ Xavier AI embedded computing module for autonomous machines thatfeatures a 512-Core Volta GPU with Tensor Cores, 8-Core ARM 64-Bit CPU,dual NVDLA deep learning accelerators, video processor for up to 2×4K 60fps encode and decode, seven-way VLIW vision processor and 16 GB 256-BitLPDDR4 memory. Another embodiment of such an exemplary autonomouscontrol system 3100 may, for example, be implemented with an ARMCortex-A76AE autonomous processor with superscalar, out-of-orderprocessing and split-lock flexibility to allow for a split mode withhighest multicore performance or split mode for advanced multicorefault-tolerance features for built-in safety and diagnosticfunctionality at a hardware level (e.g., fail-operational orfault-tolerant capability—where the control system detects a controlsystem fault with memory, processing, data bus, or other control systemsub-systems, reports the fault, and continues operation in a degradedmode as needed).

The exemplary location circuitry 3110 (such as a GPS chipset andantenna) is operatively coupled to the autonomous control system 3100and generates location data on a location of the MAM 1725 and providesthe location data to the autonomous control system 3100. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that location circuitry 3110 may beimplemented similar to dedicated location positioning circuitry 475(e.g., GPS circuitry) described above that allows a master node toself-determine its location or to determine its location by itself.

Exemplary external sensors 2810 are disposed on the detachable modularhousing and are operatively coupled to the autonomous control system3100. In this exemplary configuration, the external sensors 2810generates external sensor data on an environment external to the MAM1725 as detected by the external sensors 2810 and providing the sensordata to the autonomous control system 3100. In more detail, suchexternal sensors 2810 may be implemented as an array of one or moresensors for detecting the outside world using one or more types ofsensors. Exemplary types of sensors 2810 may include, but are notlimited to, cameras, LIDAR/RADAR, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs),location circuitry (GPS), and environmental sensors for temperature,humidity, rain, pressure, light, shock/impact, and the like. Other typesof sensors 2810, depending on the application, may also includeproximity sensors, chemical sensors, motion detectors, etc.

In a further embodiment, some or all of these sensors 2810 may becontained in one or more submodular “sensor domes” or sensor pods whereeach may be detachable or removably attached to the base cover 2800 ofthe MAM 1725, and may be interchanged based on use case (e.g.,in-facility, on-road, etc.). As such, an exemplary replaceable sensordome or pod may contain all sensors for the MAM 1725 or contain a subsetof external sensors 2810 to be used by the MAM 1725. In a furtherexample, different subsets of external sensors 2810 may be respectivelyimplemented in a different interchangeable, detachable, replaceablesensor pods. Each of such sensor pods may be deployed as having acharacteristic type of sensors in the subset of the external sensors2810 (e.g., one detachable sensor pod of external sensors having nightvision specific sensors, another detachable sensor pod of externalsensors having proximity sensors of a particular sensing range usefulfor internal building deployment, another detachable sensor pod ofexternal sensors having proximity sensors of a longer sensing rangeuseful for exterior street deployment, and the like). Thus, like theinternally focused payload monitoring sensor pods that may be detached,replaced, and used to configure and exemplary MAM 1725 for a particulartargeted or dispatched logistics operation for transporting a particularitem/object, the exemplary MAM 1725 may be configured with particularexternally focused sensor pods that may be detached, replaced, and usedfor a particular targeted or dispatched logistics operation for movingassembly 1700 (including MAM 1725) through a targeted or anticipatedenvironment when moving from an origin location (e.g., a pickup locationor bot storage location) to a delivery destination location.

As shown in FIG. 28, exemplary external sensors 2810 may be placed onsurfaces of the MAM 1725, such as along vertically oriented surfaces ontop of the MAM 1725 on support 2805, but further embodiments may have aportion of (or all) sensors 2810 placed in other locations that focus inparticular directions relative to the MAM 1725 (e.g., forward-facingsensors, side sensors, rear-facing sensors, ground-facing sensors,upward-focused sensors, and the like) or as an omni-directional sensoron the MAM 1725.

An embodiment of MAM 1725 may have the autonomous control system 3100 beprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to process atleast the sensor data from the external sensors disposed on thedetachable modular housing for object detection and collision avoidanceas part of generating the steering and propulsion control outputsignals. In a further example, such sensor processing may involve sensordata that includes sensor data from external sensors 2810, sensor datafrom payload monitoring sensors 3010, as well as sensor data from MB1705. In another example embodiment, autonomous control system 3100 maybe implemented with dedicated sensor processing circuitry that isdeployed to quickly process what may be massive amounts of sensor data(e.g., external sensor data, sensor data from internal sensors 3010 a,3010 b, as well as sensor data from MB 1705) so that remaining controlelements of autonomous control system 3100 (e.g., other controllers orprocessors) may be programmatically configured to handle other tasks ofthe autonomous control system 3100 without the heavy sensor dataprocessing tasks at hand facing the MAM 1725.

Exemplary displays 2815 a, 2815 b as well as side multi-element lightpanels 2825 on MAM 1725 provide Human-to-Machine (H2M) interfaces (alsogenerally referenced as human-interaction interfaces on MAM 1725), suchas LED/OLED displays located at the top and outside edges of the MAMcomponent 1725 of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700. As shown inFIG. 31, exemplary displays 2815 a, 2815 b are operatively coupled toand driven by autonomous control system 3100, which generatesinformation to be shown on displays 2815 a, 2815 b. Similar informationmay be displayed on side multi-element light panels 2825 as part of anH2M interface. Such information may include, for example, transportinformation related to the status of the apparatus 1700 as explainedbelow in more detail.

Exemplary displays may also be implemented as (or driven to display)navigational type indicators (e.g., headlights, turn signals, etc.).Such navigational type indicators may also be implemented by, forexample, front lighting elements 2820 disposed on a leading front edgeof MAM 1725, side LED multi-light panel elements 2825 (also operativelycoupled to the autonomous control system 3100) that may be used asindicators or multi-element panel displays for showing other informationvia text or images, and other lights (such as lights 3010 a, 3010 b)that may be disposed on MAM 1725 to focus on select areas or regionsrelative to the MAM 1725 itself. The displays and indicators aredisposed on different surfaces and edges of the MAM 1725 such that thecontroller/processor of the MAM 1725 (e.g., exemplary autonomous controlsystem 3100) may direct information (e.g., autonomous transportinformation such as navigational indications, status of componentsand/or the assembly apparatus 1700, status of the items/objects beingshipped within apparatus 1700, and the like) to present on such displaysand indicators as the H2M interfaces of the MAM 1725. As such, while acustomer's mobile smartphone device may operate as an interface with theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 (via M2M communications to controlelements within apparatus 1700 or wireless transceivers within apparatus1700), the H2M portion of the MAM 1725 may communicate to the outsideworld regarding the status of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700.For example, the H2M portion of the MAM 1725 may communicate that thesystem is operating properly, currently unavailable for use, requestingtransition from AV (i.e., autonomous vehicle operation mode) to remoteoperator mode, etc. These displays 2815 a, 2815 b provide information tohuman “neighbors” as the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 moves,senses or detects obstacles, interacts with facility systems (e.g.,automatic doors, elevators, lockable storage, and the like) vianode-to-node communication, association with external nodes, and secureinteractions with such systems while navigating its route to thecustomer including turns and stops, vehicle speed, as well as anyinstructional information needed by the customer for object receipt.

As noted above, the side LED multi-element light panels 2825 may bedeployed on the MAM 1725 on sides of base cover 2800 or other parts ofMAM 1725. A similar exemplary multi-element light panel 2900 may bedeployed on the back of base cover as shown in FIG. 29. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate while exemplary light panels 2825 and 2900 areshown disposed on particular parts of the detachable modular housing ofMAM 1725, such multi-element light panels may be disposed in otherlocations on the housing of MAM 1725 (e.g., along a front edge or onother surfaces of base cover 2800 or on support 2805). Thesemulti-element light panels 2825, 2900 are shown in FIG. 31 to beoperatively coupled to and driven by the autonomous control system 3100to display relevant information, such as navigational indicators orother information via generated text, symbols, images, and the like.

Exemplary modular component power and data transport bus 3115 isdisposed within the detachable modular housing of MAM 1725 as a part ofa common bus that may run through the different modular components ofexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700. As such, modular component power anddata transport bus 3115 provides command and data interfaces for displayoutputs (e.g., via displays, LED indicators, or screens coupled to thebus 3115 on the MAM 1725 or other modular components of apparatus 1700),control output (e.g., for sending control signals to control elements ofMB 1705, APM 1710, and for sending control signals to control theenvironment within CSS 1720), and for sensor input from sensors on theMAM 1725 as well as sensors disposed in other modular components ofapparatus 1700 (e.g., sensors within CSS 1720, sensors deployed on theMB 1705, and the like). The exemplary modular component power and datatransport bus 3115 has a bottom side modular component electronicsinterface disposed on the bottom side of the detachable modularhousing's base 2800 that mates to a corresponding modular componentelectronics interface on the modular CSS 1720. In more detail, such abottom side modular component electronics interface has a power conduitinput interface and a command and data communication interface. Thepower conduit input interface is operatively coupled to activeelectronic devices and systems that require electrical power, such asthe autonomous control system 3100, the location circuitry 3110, thedisplays 2815 a, 2815 b, and the multi-element light panels 2825, 2900.In further embodiments, additional integration aspects may involvedeploying a rigid “backbone” to the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700with two components carrying both power and control commands from theMAM 1725 to the MB 1705.

In an embodiment of exemplary MAM 1725, primary power for the activeelectronic devices and systems on MAM 1725 may be provided from anexternal power source, such as the power source available on APM 1710,through such a power conduit input interface on bus 3115. However, anembodiment of exemplary MAM 1725 may be deployed with a supplemental orsecondary power source 3120 onboard the MAM 1725. Such a secondary powersource 3120 as shown in FIG. 31 may be disposed within the detachablemodular housing, and operatively coupled to provide backup power to atleast the autonomous control system 3100 (and other active electronicdevices and systems on MAM 1725). Embodiments of secondary power source3120 may be coupled to the power conduit input interface to also providea backup supply of power to other modular components. Furtherembodiments of secondary power source 3120 may also have a powercontroller that may manage the supply of backup power from secondarypower source 3120 (e.g., monitoring power being provided through thepower conduit input interface and switching to the backup poweravailable from secondary power source 3120 when needed, chargingsecondary power source 3120 from available power provided through thepower conduit input interface, adding the backup power from secondarypower source 3120 to the primary power provided available through thepower conduit input interface when needed or directed by autonomouscontrol system 3100).

The exemplary MAM 1725 may also have one or more communicationinterfaces implemented as wireless radio transceivers (e.g., wirelessradio transceiver 3125) for near-field/mid/long-range wirelessconnectivity coupled to the autonomous control system 3100 as neededusing one or more communication formats (e.g., Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi,Cellular, WiLAN, and other wireless communication formats). Exemplarywireless radio transceiver 3125 may, for example, be implemented usingdedicated wireless radio transceiver hardware (including antennas,receivers, transmitters, couplers, diplexers, frequency converters,modulators, and the like), a combination of hardware and software, or asa software defined radio (SDR)). As shown in FIG. 31, exemplary wirelessradio transceiver 3125 is disposed within the detachable modular housingof MAM 1725 and is operatively coupled to the autonomous control system3100 where the wireless radio transceiver 3125 is operative tocommunicate with other wireless devices, such as an actuated componenton the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 having wireless capability,a wireless communication interface deployed in another modular componentof the apparatus 1700 (e.g., MB 1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720), or a wirelessdevice disposed outside of apparatus 1700 (e.g., a smartphone operatedas a type of mobile ID node or mobile master node by a deliveryrecipient, a wireless node integrated as part of facility systems(automatic doors, elevators, lockable storage, and the like)).

In an embodiment of MAM 1725, exemplary autonomous control system 3100is programmatically adapted and configured when executing its programcode governing operation of the MAM 1725 to be operative to at leastreceive sensor data from the external sensors 2810 disposed on thedetachable modular housing; receive outside sensor data from additionalsensors disposed on the modular MB 1705 (where such outside sensor datais received over the command and data communication interface of the bus3115 or through wireless communications via wireless radio transceiver3125); generate steering and propulsion control output signals based onthe location data from the location circuitry 3110, the sensor data fromthe external sensors 2810, the outside sensor data, and destinationinformation data maintained by the autonomous control system 3100 onwhere the MAM 1725 has been dispatched to go; generate autonomoustransport information to provide on selective ones of the multi-elementlight panels 2825, 2900 and/or the displays 2815 a, 2815 b; and generateautonomous delivery information to provide on at least one of themulti-element light panels 2825, 2900 and/or the displays 2815 a, 2815b.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of an exemplary assembly 1700 of an exemplarymodular mobility base (MB) unit component 1705 shown in conjunction withan exemplary modular auxiliary power module (APM) 1710, an exemplarymodular cargo storage system (CSS) 1720, and an exemplary modular mobileautonomy module (MAM) 1725 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 32, each of the modular components ofassembly 1700 are designed to be modular elements that may be pulledfrom a depot location or bot storage location to build an appropriateand compatible configuration of an exemplary MALVT bot assembly 1700 fora particular dispatched logistics operation and to appropriately supportdelivery/pickup of particular items/objects being picked up, delivered,or otherwise shipped by assembly 1700.

As a modular component itself and as part of an assembled bot assembly1700, an exemplary MAM 1725 may communicate with various types ofnetwork devices through wireless communications. FIG. 33 is a diagram ofan exemplary system 3300 having exemplary MAM 1725 within an exemplarymodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 1700 where the MAM 1725 is incommunication with an exemplary server 3305 and mobile external wirelessnodes 3310, 3315 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Aspart of the assembly 1700, MAM 1725 may communicate with other modularcomponents of assembly 1700 (e.g., MB 1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720 andactuated elements therein) over a modular component power and datatransport bus 3320 that extends across the different modular componentsof assembly 1700. And as part of assembly 1700, MAM 1725 may use itswireless radio transceiver 3125 as a wireless communication interfacewith which to communicate with external wireless node devices, such asbackend server 3305 (whether directly through a wireless communicationpath or indirectly through one or more intermediary network devices),supplier mobile user access device 3310 (e.g., a type of mobile ID nodeor mobile master node (such as a smartphone or handheld tablet device)operated by a supplier of the item/object being shipped within CSS1720), delivery recipient mobile user access device 3315 (e.g., a typeof mobile ID node or mobile master node (such as a smartphone orhandheld tablet device) operated by a intended or authorized deliveryrecipient for the item/object being shipped within CSS 1720); and anode-enabled logistics receptacle 3325 such as a node-enabled drop-boxor parcel locker.

In such an exemplary system 3300, the MAM 1725 (through its wirelessradio transceiver 3125) may be operative to receive command inputs fromexternal wireless node devices as a remote control input or requestednavigation assistance (e.g., from the delivery supplier via suppliermobile user access device 3310 or from the delivery recipient viadelivery recipient mobile user access device 3315). For example, thedelivery recipient may respond to a request from MAM 1725 with anupdated location via a mapping location (as determined by the deliveryrecipient mobile user access device 3315) as a type of requestednavigation assistance. Exemplary remote control input may come in theform of authorized signals that actuate cargo door 1715 on the assembly1700 after the remote control input is verified to be from an authenticor authorized supplier or delivery recipient. In another example, theMAM 1725 (through its wireless radio transceiver 3125) may be alsooperative to request and receive navigation assistance from the backendserver 3305 as the external wireless node, such as a changed deliverydestination or remote control of the assembly 1700 via the backendserver 3305 (or another external wireless node) to guide the assembly1700 in a semi-autonomous mode.

An embodiment of exemplary MAM 1725 may also use its wireless radiotransceiver 3125 to wirelessly communicate with different node-enabledpackages (e.g., packages being shipped that have an ID node or masternode disposed on or within the package) or items being shipped (e.g.,items/objects where an ID node or master node is attached to orintegrated as part of the item/object) within the interior of the CSS1720 to capture the interior cargo status. For example, exemplary MAM1725 through its autonomous control system 3100 and its wireless radiotransceiver 3125 may operate as a master node that may detect,communicate with, and associate with different package ID nodes locatedwithin the CSS 1720 in a way to manage, track, and monitor the packageor items within the CSS 1720 during transport aboard the assembly 1700.

In further embodiments, an exemplary embodiment of MAM 1725 may use itsautonomous control system 3100 to generate and send various actuatorcontrol signals to different actuators deployed on an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus 1700. In particular, the autonomous control system 3100may be programmatically adapted and configured to be operative togenerate an actuator control signal as part of a logistics operationonce the location data from the location circuitry 3110 indicates theMAM 1725 is at a desired logistics location (e.g., a pickup location, adelivery destination location, an origin location, and the like). In oneexample, such an actuator control signal may be a lock actuator controlsignal provided to an electro-mechanically actuated lock on the modularbot apparatus 1700 (e.g., lock 2025 on cargo door 1715) that selectivelysecures and unsecures access to the payload area. In another example,the actuator control signal may be a handle actuator control signalprovided to an electro-mechanically actuated lock on the modular botapparatus 1700 (e.g., handle actuator 2225) that selectively secures andunsecures access to the payload area or unlocks the CSS 1720 from itsconnections to other modular components of apparatus 1700). In stillother examples, the actuator control signal may be a door actuatorcontrol signal provided to a door actuator on the modular bot apparatusthat selectively opens and closes access to the payload area; a beltactuator control signal provided to a belt actuator on the modular botapparatus that selectively moves the item being shipped from within thepayload area; a climate control signal for a climate control module 2210attached to the modular CSS 1720, where climate control signalselectively sets or modifies an environment within the payload area bythe output of the climate control module; a sliding arm actuator controlsignal provided to a sliding arm actuator within the payload area thatresponsively moves the item being shipped in response to the sliding armactuator control signal; a grabbing arm actuator control signal providedto a grabbing arm actuator within the payload area that responsivelygrasps the item being shipped and moves the item being shipped inresponse to the grabbing arm actuator control signal; and a support baseactuator control signal provided to a selectively adjustable suspensionsystem on the MB 1705 that responsively changes an orientation state ofthe modular MB 1705 in response to the support base actuator controlsignal.

Authentication (AuthN) of different modular components that areassembled into an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 at assemble timehelps to safeguard against cybersecurity attacks, and also to ensure orverify that the respective components are compatible and ready foroperational use (in general or as it relates to a specific logisticsoperation for a particular item/object being shipped). For example, anexemplary MAM 1725 may go through depot level calibration/alignment toensure the sensors or particular sensor array deployed on that MAM unit1725 is ready for operation. Likewise, an exemplary MB unit 1705 mayneed to ensure that it has sufficient charge before being selected for adesignated route (as well as calibration/alignment of sensors 215 usedon the MB). At the time of “assembly”, an embodiment may deploy anencryption-based secure handshaking or authentication process (e.g.,involving a challenge and response with security credentials and thelike) to ensure the modular components being assembled into an exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus 1700 are certified and ready for operation. In oneembodiment, as assembly occurs, the autonomous control system 3100 inthe MAM 1725 may perform such assembly authorization checks. In othermodular components, control elements disposed in the respective modularcomponent may be operative to perform such assembly authorizationchecks. For example, other components may have built-incomponent-to-component logic dedicated for such assembly authorizationpurposes where interfacing components (e.g., MB 1705 to APM 1710, APM1710 to CSS 1720, etc.) use integral authorization/registration logicand interfaces having component identifiers and security credentialsassociated with the component identifiers.

Embodiments of component authentication (AuthN) and authorization(AuthZ) may also be used to enforce role-based control (RBAC) based on anumber of factors that could be driven by business cases. For instance,if a component lease was determined to be expired during the process ofAuthN & AuthZ as part of assembly of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700, a MAM 1725 involved in the AuthN & AuthZ may identify the relevantexpired leased component and remove it from being assembled within a botapparatus 10, but also notify a server about this so as to cause theserver to initiate renewal in a fleet management system for the relevantexpired leased component (or group of components).

Consistent with the above description of an embodiment of componentauthentication, FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating two exemplary modularcomponents 3400 a, 3400 b as component 3400 a is brought together withcomponent 3400 b during assembly. Each of exemplary components 3400 a,3400 b may be representative of different ones of the exemplary modularMB 1705, exemplary modular APM 1710, exemplary modular CSS 1720, andexemplary modular MAM 1725 components that may be assembled in acomponent-to-component manner to assemble an exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700. Those skilled in the art will also appreciatethat exemplary components 3400 a, 3400 b may represent a detachablemodule (such as a climate control module or sensor pod) that may beadded to a component of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 34, exemplary components3400 a and 3400 b are each respectively equipped with exemplary integralauthorization/registration logic that implements an authenticationinterface 3405 a, 3405 b that carries out the encryption-based securehandshaking or authentication process (e.g., involving a challenge andresponse with security credentials) to ensure the modular components3400 a, 3400 b are being assembled as authorized components. Forexample, authentication interface 3405 a in modular component 3400 a isoperative to verify the other modular component 3400 b being attached isan authenticated modular component based upon component-to-componentsecure handshaking with the corresponding authentication interface 3405b on the other modular component 3400 b. The authentication interfaces3405 a, 3405 b may interact with each other via wired connections (e.g.,contacts disposed at predetermined locations of latches or edges ofstructure on each of the components 3400 a, 3400 b that come in contactduring assembly) or via wireless detection and communication (e.g., vianode association techniques between ID node-based authenticationinterfaces 3405 a, 3405 b; via RFID tag interrogation and responsebetween tagged components 3400 a, 3400 b where each can read the other'stag as an authentication interface, and the like). As such, exemplaryauthentication interfaces 3405 a, 3405 b may implement integralauthorization/registration logic in circuitry interrogates the opposinginterface and assess the interrogation results (i.e., is the componentbeing attached authenticated based on the component identifier andsecurity credentials) via wired or wireless handshaking.

The authentication interface 3405 a, 3405 b of each of the components3400 a, 3400 b may store and maintain a component identifier 3410 a,3410 b along with security credentials 3415 a, 3415 b. The componentidentifier 3410 a, 3410 b at least identifies the respective component3400 a, 3400 b and may include information on the component's currentcapabilities (e.g., charge status, etc.). The security credentials 3415a, 3415 b on each component relate to the permission to use therespective component as well as a verification of compatibility of therespective components for a general or particular purpose (e.g., anassigned logistics operation for one or more items being shipped) basedon rules and capabilities for the respective component. Such rules asreflected in a component's security credentials may involve regulatoryrules, contractual rules, and/or safety rules particular to thatcomponent. Likewise, the capabilities of the particular component mayalso be reflected in the security credentials (or the componentidentifier) where such capabilities may involve one or more logisticalconstraints, size/weight limitations, readiness limitations (e.g.,performance threshold(s) for the particular component in an anticipateddeployment operation, and the like). For example, such logisticalconstraint information may include information on a determined workenvironment for the particular component and identified as part of asecurity credential maintained as part of the authentication interfaceon that component. The size limitations may be information as to thesize of the particular component or its payload area, while the weightlimitations may be information as to the weight of the particularcomponent or the weight of what it may carry as payload.

As such, component-to-component authentication may be implemented withsecure handshaking between authentication interface 3405 a of component3400 a and authentication interface 3405 b of component 3400 b ascomponent 3400 a and 3400 b are essentially brought together duringassembly. Such a secure handshaking/authentication process may involveissuing a challenge by one authentication interface, to which a responsewith security credentials (and component identifier in many cases) willbe sent by the other authentication interface. In more detail, suchcomponent-to-component secure handshaking may have one authenticationinterface making a comparison of the security credential response fromthe authentication interface on the other modular component to asecurity credential maintained as part of the authentication interfaceon the component making the comparison. The result of such a comparisonindicates the authentication status (e.g., that other modular componentbeing attached to the latching points of one component is verified to bean authenticated modular component based upon the comparison).

In general, the authentication result of an exemplarycomponent-to-component secure handshaking between authenticationinterfaces may be stored by a respective component's authenticationinterface and may be reported to a control element (e.g., autonomouscontrol system 3100 of MAM 1725) so that the apparatus at a system levelis aware of any authentication issues (e.g., when a component has beenverified to be incompatible with an assigned or dispatched operationinvolving the assembly using that component). Thus, a component, such ascomponent 3400 a, may record an authentication status identifier toreflect the authentication process result, and may further transmit suchan authentication status identifier to a control element identifyingthat components 3400 a and 3400 a are not compatible and alerting thecontrol element of the authentication issue.

For example, when an exemplary MAM 1725 is such a component involved incomponent-to-component authentication (or performs an authentication orverification check of the different components assembled as part ofapparatus assembly 1700) and one or more of the components are notauthenticated, the autonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725 may befurther programmatically adapted and configured to be operative to causethe wireless radio transceiver 3125 to notify a server (e.g., a dispatchserver, depot server, or backend server such as server 3205) of theunauthenticated component(s)).

As such, an embodiment of exemplary MAM 1725 may provide a combinationof human interface displays, sensing for the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700, with built-in battery support, and serves as the “head”or “hat” control element of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus orassembly 1700.

Integration of MALVT Components into the Bot Apparatus as an Assembly

From the main components of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700described above, an exemplary modular assembly process or method maytake place when the MB 1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720, and MAM 1725units/components are put together and mechanically integrated into adesired an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. Embodiments ofsuch an assembly process may take place without a pre-determineddispatch operation, or may take place in an on-demand manner so that aparticularly configured MALVT bot apparatus assembly is put together fora particular logistics operation for specific items being shipped.

As an assembly 1700, the different modular components described above(i.e., exemplary MB 1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720, and MAM 1725) may becombined component-by-component to have a common bus through each of themodular components. For example, as noted above, each of exemplary MB1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720, and MAM 1725 has an interface to a commonmodular component power and data transport bus, where the interfaceproviding a power conduit for each modular component and a command anddata interface conduit for each modular component. Such a common modularcomponent power and data transport bus may also provide the powerconduit and command and data interface conduit to detachable modulesthat may be attached to modular components, such as a climate controlmodule, removable sensor pod, and the like.

As noted above, modular components that attach to each other as part ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be authenticated or verifiedas being authorized and/or compatible with a particular task for theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700. For example, an embodiment of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may have its respective modularmobility base, modular auxiliary power module, modular cargo storagesystem, and modular mobile autonomy control module being authenticatedmodular components based upon a component-to-component securehandshaking between proximately attached ones of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storagesystem, and the modular mobile autonomy control module. Thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking, as explained above relativeto FIG. 34, may be accomplished with a challenge and security credentialresponse between proximately attached ones of the modular mobility base,the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system,and the modular mobile autonomy control module. As such, the modularmobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargostorage system, and the modular mobile autonomy control module may beverified as authenticated modular components for the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly 1700 as each of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system, andthe modular mobile autonomy control module are assembled into themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, as each of these modularcomponents connect to proximate others of the modular components, andauthentication interfaces that implement integralauthorization/registration logic that performs encryption-based securehandshaking to ensure the different modular components are authorizedcomponents.

In more detail, the component-to-component secure handshaking may bebased upon one or more regulatory rules, one or more contractual rules,and one or more safety rules as reflected in the component identifierand security credentials used in the handshaking. For example,regulatory rules may only permit certain types of modular componentswithin certain buildings or locations. Contractual rules may limit whatmodular components may be retrieved and used as part of a dispatched botapparatus 1700 (e.g., components may be leased with use and time limitson authorized use of such components). Safety rules may also limit typesof modular components that may be used in particular locations or forparticular dispatched tasks.

In a further embodiment, the component-to-component secure handshakingmay be based upon logistical constraint information (reflected in thesecurity credentials) on a determined work environment for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly. For example, such a logisticalconstraint information being identified as part of the securitycredential response provided by a challenged modular component duringassembly. Exemplary logistical constraint information may, for example,identify a size limitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly (or a particular component), identify a weight limitation forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (or a particularcomponent), or identify a readiness limitation for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly. Such a readiness limitation mayindicate or reflect performance thresholds for the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly (or a particular component) in an anticipateddeployment operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.For example, a readiness limitation may require a threshold level ofcharge on a particular component or a calibration status indicating thecomponent (or assembly) has sensors that have certified accuracy intheir operation.

An embodiment of the exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly1700 may be operative to respond in a particular manner in the face ofcomponent being within the assembly 1700 that is not authenticated orotherwise not verified compatible for use within the assembly 1700. Forexample, the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module in the exemplary MAM 1725 of an exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly may be further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to notify a server over its wireless radiotransceiver (e.g., wireless radio transceiver 3125 that one or more ofthe modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are not authenticated modular componentsbased upon the component-to-component secure handshaking between themodular mobile autonomy control module and each of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem. As part of or in addition to such notification, the autonomouscontroller of the modular mobile autonomy control module in theexemplary MAM 1725 of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly may befurther programmatically adapted and configured to be operative torequest a replacement component for the particular modular mobilitybase, modular auxiliary power module, and/or modular cargo storagesystem that are not authenticated modular components.

In another embodiment, a response to finding one of the modularcomponents being not authentic or verified compatible may involve moreof a local message displayed on the MAM of the apparatus 1700. Forexample, the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module may be further programmatically adapted and configured tobe operative to generate a component replacement request message on atleast one of the human interaction interfaces disposed on the detachablemodular housing (e.g., on the front display 2815 a, the rear display2815 b, and/or one of the side multi-element light panels 2825) when oneor more of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are not authenticatedmodular components based upon the component-to-component securehandshaking between the modular mobile autonomy control module and eachof the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, andthe modular cargo storage system. Such a displayed component replacementrequest message may request a replacement component for the one or moreof the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, andthe modular cargo storage system that are not authenticated modularcomponents. This may be useful to depot technicians that may beassembling a particular exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 inresponse to a particular dispatch request from a dispatch server or in aprocess of creating an exemplary bot apparatus assembly 1700 ready to bedispatched for a later defined task (as reflected in a later receiveddispatch request from the dispatch server).

As explained above relative to FIG. 34, such an authentication result ofan exemplary component-to-component secure handshaking betweenauthentication interfaces may be stored by a respective component'sauthentication interface and reported to a control element (e.g.,autonomous control system 3100 of MAM 1725) so that the apparatus at asystem level is aware of any authentication issues (e.g., when acomponent has been verified to be incompatible with an assigned ordispatched operation involving the assembly using that component). Thus,at the system level, a further embodiment of the autonomous controllerof the modular mobile autonomy control module of the bot apparatus 1700may be further programmatically adapted and configured to receive suchan authentication result from one of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system.The received authentication result indicates either that all componentsare authentic and verified compatible, or that at least one of themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are not authenticated modular componentsbased upon the component-to-component secure handshaking betweenproximate ones of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobileautonomy control module. In response to an authentication resultindicating an unauthentic component, the autonomous controller of themodular mobile autonomy control module of the bot apparatus 1700 may befurther programmatically adapted and configured to notify a server overthe wireless radio transceiver on the MAM that one or more of themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are not authenticated modular componentsbased upon the authentication result received, and may also generate acomponent replacement request message on at least one of the humaninteraction interfaces disposed on the detachable modular housing basedupon the authentication result received.

While the authentication process described above involvescomponent-to-component secure handshaking of proximately disposed andconnected ones of the modular components, an embodiment may have the MAM1725 of the bot apparatus 1700 interrogate each of the different modularcomponents of the bot apparatus 1700 itself. This may involve the MAM'sown authentication interface communicating with different authenticationinterfaces on the different modular components of the bot apparatus 1700where the component-to-component authentication process is now betweenthe MAM specifically and each of the other modular components of the botapparatus 1700. This may be accomplished with authentication interfacesbeing coupled to the common modular component power and data transportbus (such as bus 3115) or with authentication interfaces communicatingwirelessly and performing secure handshaking via, for example, nodeassociation techniques. In this way, the authentication interactions maybe conducted between the MAM 1725 and each of the other modularcomponents of the bot apparatus assembly via a component-to-componentsecure handshaking between the MAM 1725 and each of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem similar to that done between other proximate modular componentsas explained above. Thus, such a component-to-component securehandshaking may involve a challenge and security credential responsebetween the modular mobile autonomy control module and each of themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system; may involve regulatory rules, contractualrules, and/or safety rules; and may be based upon logistical constraintinformation on a determined work environment for the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly (or particular modular component) as explainedabove. The autonomous controller of the MAM may also be programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to respond with servernotifications, and component replacement requests as explained above(e.g., telling the server to initiate the replacement component swap outor generate a local component replacement request message on one of thehuman interaction interfaces disposed on the detachable modular housingof the MAM).

Additionally, as an assembled exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700,different components of the apparatus may have controlled actuatorsconsistent with the description above. For example, the modular mobilitybase 1705 may have a set of suspension orientation actuators (e.g., partof selectively adjustable suspension system 1840) disposed within or aspart of the mobile base platform 1800, where the suspension orientationactuators can responsively alter an orientation of the mobile baseplatform 1800 relative to a ground surface on which the mobile baseplatform 1800 is supported in response to a support base orientationcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller (e.g., autonomouscontrol system 3100) and provided to the mobility controller over thecommon modular component power and data transport bus. In anotherexample, the modular auxiliary power module may have a cargo dooractuator (e.g., actuator 2070) disposed on the base adapter platform2005, where the cargo door actuator can responsively move thearticulating cargo door 1715 in response to a cargo door control commandgenerated by the autonomous controller and provided to a door actuatordriver on the base adapter platform over the common modular componentpower and data transport bus. In still another example, the modularauxiliary power module may have a belt actuator disposed on the baseadapter platform 1800, where the belt actuator can responsively move anactuated belt surface 2080 b disposed on the base adapter platform 2005in response to a belt control command generated by the autonomouscontroller and provided to a belt actuator driver on the base adapterplatform over the common modular component power and data transport bus.In yet another example, the modular auxiliary power module may have aramp belt actuator (similar to the above-described belt actuator)disposed on the articulating cargo door 1715, where the ramp beltactuator can responsively move an actuated ramp belt surface 2080 adisposed on the articulating cargo door 1715 in response to a ramp beltcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided to aramp belt actuator driver on the articulating cargo door over the commonmodular component power and data transport bus.

Some of the controlled actuators on bot apparatus assembly 1700 involvelocks, such as locks for the cargo door 1715 (whether disposed on theAPM 1710 or on the CSS 1720) and the locking handle 2115 for the CSS1720 itself. In more detail, the modular auxiliary power module furthermay have an actuated electro-mechanical lock that responsively securesand unsecures the articulating cargo door 1715 in response to a doorlock control command generated by the autonomous controller and providedto the actuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular auxiliary powermodule over the common modular component power and data transport bus.Likewise, another embodiment may have the modular cargo storage systemhaving an actuated electro-mechanical lock that responsively secures andunsecures the articulating cargo door 1715 in response to a door lockcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided tothe actuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage systemover the common modular component power and data transport bus. As forthe locking handle 2115 on the CSS 1720, an exemplary embodiment mayhave the modular cargo storage system having an actuatedelectro-mechanical lock that responsively actuates the set of actuatedlatches (e.g., latches 2110 a, 2110 b) in response to a latch lockingcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided tothe actuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage systemover the common modular component power and data transport bus.

In a further example embodiment, the modular cargo storage system mayhave a detachable climate control module (e.g., module 2210) disposedwithin the modular cargo storage system that can responsively alter anenvironment of the payload support area to maintain a desiredenvironment within the payload support area in response to a climatecontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided tothe climate control module on the modular cargo storage system over thecommon modular component power and data transport bus.

In still further embodiments, the autonomous controller of the MAM 1725may control actuation of different object or item manipulation systems,such as actuated sliding arms and/or actuated grabbing arms that may beimplemented as part of the CSS 1720 or on the APM 1710 as part of thebot apparatus assembly. For example, the modular cargo storage systemmay have an actuated sliding arm that responsively moves the item beingshipped within the payload support area in response to a sliding armcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided tothe actuated sliding arm on the modular cargo storage system over thecommon modular component power and data transport bus. In anotherexample, the modular cargo storage system may have an actuated grabbingarm that responsively obtains and moves the item being shipped withinthe payload support area in response to a grabbing arm control commandgenerated by the autonomous controller and provided to the actuatedgrabbing arm on the modular cargo storage system over the common modularcomponent power and data transport bus.

Sensor data may also be provided across and through different modularcomponents of the exemplary bot apparatus assembly 1700. For example,the modular mobile autonomy control module may have one or more payloadmonitoring sensors (e.g., sensors 3180) disposed on a bottom side of thedetachable modular housing and operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller. Such payload monitoring sensors generate payload sensor dataon the payload support area and provide the payload sensor data to theautonomous controller so that the autonomous controller can monitor thepayload sensor data and, as such, monitor what is going on in thepayload area as well as monitor conditions of the item being shippedwithin the payload area. Such payload monitoring sensors 3180 on the MAM1725 may be implemented in detachable sensor pods that are operativelycoupled to the autonomous controller while assembling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly. In an embodiment, such a detachablesensor pod may include some or all of the payload monitoring sensors andbe of a predetermined sensor type correlating to an assigned dispatchuse profile maintained by the autonomous controller for the botapparatus assembly 1700. Such an assigned dispatch use profile may bemaintained by the MAM (e.g., the autonomous control system 3100 on MAM1725) as a data on an assigned dispatch operation for the modularautonomous bot apparatus 1700 (which may be sent to the autonomouscontrol system 3100 from a server, such as a dispatch server, as part ofa dispatch command related to the particular assigned dispatch operationfor the bot apparatus assembly 1700).

Likewise, one or more of the autonomy module sensors 2810 may beimplemented in a detachable sensor pod attached to the detachablemodular housing and operatively coupled to the autonomous controllerwhile assembling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. Such adetachable sensor pod may include some or all of sensors 2810 andinclude sensors of a predetermined sensor type correlating to theassigned dispatch use profile maintained by the autonomous controller.

An embodiment of modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 1700 may havethe autonomous controller of its MAM unit being further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to receive such an assigneddispatch use profile for the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 froma server (e.g., server 3300), where the assigned dispatch use profileidentifies a type of each of the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system, and themodular mobile autonomy control module used as part of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly 1700. In more detail, an embodimentmay have such an assigned dispatch use profile for the modularautonomous bot apparatus 1700 providing authentication information usedfor verifying an authentication status for each of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storagesystem, and the modular mobile autonomy control module used as part ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. In other words, suchauthentication information may include security credentials and/orcomponent identifier information used when verifying an authenticationstatus for each of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliarypower module, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobileautonomy control module used as part of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly.

As assembled into an exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly1700, the autonomous controller of the MAM (e.g., autonomous controlsystem 3100 of MAM 1725) may be further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to wirelessly receive a remote command inputfor the modular autonomous bot apparatus 1700 from an external wirelessnode through the wireless radio transceiver interface (e.g., wirelessradio transceiver 3125 on MAM 1725). For example and as shown in FIG.33, such a remote command input may be a remote control input from adelivery supplier (e.g., remote control wireless signals sent fromsupplier mobile user access device 3310) or may be a remote controlinput from a delivery recipient (e.g., remote control wireless signalssent from delivery recipient mobile user access device 3315).

And as assembled into an exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly 1700, the autonomous controller of the MAM (e.g., autonomouscontrol system 3100 of MAM 1725) may be further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to wirelessly request and receivenavigation assistance from a backend server (e.g., server 3300) as atype of remote control input. This may come in the form of updatedrouting information, for example, but may also come in the form ofremotely supplied control signals for controlling the propulsion andsteering systems on the MB of the assembly 1700, or control signalsdescribed above that initiate any of the actuators disposed on theassembly 1700 (e.g., actuating the cargo door 1715 to unlock and open,actuating the suspension system on the MB to tilt and initiate movementof the item being shipped out of the CSS, actuating any of the objectmanipulation systems, and the like). In like manner, the autonomouscontroller may also be further programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to wirelessly request and receive navigation assistanceand authorized remote control input from an authorized handheld wirelessuser access device as the external wireless node (e.g., from a bot depottechnician operating a smartphone to initiate unlocking and opening ofthe cargo door 1715, etc.).

In a further embodiment, the assembled modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly 1700 may be configured and operative for enhanced remoteoperation for last leg delivery options using the assembly 1700. Forexample, the autonomous controller of the MAM (e.g., autonomous controlsystem 3100 of MAM 1725) may be further programmatically adapted andconfigured to receive location information from location circuitry 3110;detect when a current location of the modular autonomous bot apparatus1700 is within a threshold distance from a destination point accordingto an assigned dispatch use profile for the modular autonomous botapparatus 1700. Once within the threshold distance, the autonomouscontroller is then operative in this embodiment to transmit a remotecontrol request over the wireless radio transceiver interface to theexternal wireless node (e.g., a courier mobile external wireless nodesimilar to node 3310 shown in FIG. 33); receive a series of remotecontrol command inputs from the external wireless node through thewireless radio transceiver 3125 on the MAM 1725; generate responsivesteering control commands and responsive propulsion control commandbased upon the series of remote control command inputs; and transmit theresponsive steering control commands and the responsive propulsioncontrol commands to the mobility controller 1825 on MB 1705 through thecommon modular component power and data transport bus 3115 for receiptby the mobility controller 1825, which allows the external wireless nodeto control navigation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly1700 during a final segment of a deployment operation of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly 1700 as the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly 1700 moves to the destination point.

A further enhancement may have an embodiment capturing and forwardingsensor data gathered during this last leg or final segment of thedeployment operation. For example, the autonomous controller (e.g.,autonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725) may be furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to receive basefeedback sensor data from the MB 1705 during the final segment of thedeployment operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly1700 as the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 1700 moves to thedestination point; receive onboard sensor data from the autonomy modulesensors 2810 during the final segment of the deployment operation of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly as the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly moves to the destination point; and transmit at leasta subset of the received base feedback sensor data and the receivedonboard sensor data to the external wireless node as remote navigationfeedback information.

In still another enhanced embodiment, the captured sensor data may beused to update onboard routing information with higher definitionmapping information to maintain locally on the assembled apparatus 1700.For example, the autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system3100 in MAM 1725) may be further programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to update onboard routing information on the autonomouscontroller with at least a portion of the received base feedback sensordata and the received onboard sensor data. Such onboard routinginformation may be maintained by the autonomous controller in a databaseof mapping information. As such, the portion of the received basefeedback sensor data and the received onboard sensor data that updatethe database of mapping information may provide higher definitioninformation than exists within the database of mapping information forthe final segment of the deployment operation.

Further embodiments may deploy and use additional features as part ofthe modular components that make up the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700. For example, an embodiment may use an exemplary novel latchingmechanism to ensure that components are aligned and coupled for properoperation. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating further details of anexemplary latching and interface configuration used with anotherembodiment of an exemplary cargo storage system component (CSS) inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG.35, exemplary CSS 3500 (similar to exemplary CSS 1720) is shown in moredetail having side walls 3510, latching system 3505, and latchengagements 3520, 3525 extending from a top and bottom of exemplary CSS3500. In this embodiment of exemplary CSS 3500, an embodiment ofexemplary latching system 3505 may serve a dual purpose as a “bus” 3515for transmission and protection of system power and data (e.g.,integrating a modular component power and data transport bus 2250 asshown in FIG. 22B as part of latching system 3505), providing electricalconnectivity between the main components of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700. In one embodiment, the latch 3505 may be built into theside wall 3510 of the CSS cargo unit 3500, and secured with a key oncefinal assembly is completed, as shown in FIG. 35. An embodiment mayimplement such a “smart latch” 3505 as being streamlined and integratedwith the wall 3510 of CSS 3500 as much as possible to facilitate compactfolding of the collective walls 3510 that form and make up CSS 3500 sothat CSS 3500 may be more easily stowed while avoiding having thestructure of the latch 3505 protruding to obstruct or otherwise impedethe change from an assembled state to the folded storage state. On theinterior wall opposite the smart latch 3505, a series of locking tabs3600, 3605 (as shown in FIG. 36) may be built into the top and bottom ofthe interior of CSS 3500. These locking tabs 3600, 3605 are couplingelements that enables and allows the MAM 1725 and APM 1710 to bemechanically and removably fastened and secured on the side opposite thesmart latch 3505 (as well as latch engagements 3520, 3525), providingtension once the latch 3505 is secured.

In another embodiment, the “smart latch” 3505 shown in FIG. 35 (whichmay be implemented using exemplary locking handle 2115 shown in FIG.22B) may be activated via human control when the lock mechanism of latch3505 (handle 2115) is rotated. In a further embodiment, the latch 3505may be electronically activated via M2M communication with an actuatorthat may be part of latch 3505 (e.g., via handle actuator 2225 as shownin FIG. 22B) and under the control of MB 1705 or MAM 1725. An enhanceduse in an embodiment of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may havesuch a smart latch automatically react and activate under certaindetected circumstances. For example, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700 may sense and adverse operation and enter into a failsafe mode(e.g., due to impending crash, power failure, upon sending a request forintervention or human assistance, etc.), the smart latch 3505 may beautomatically activated into an unlock mode to facilitate this failsafeoperation. However, in other embodiments, conditions may be detected byMAM 1725 where the smart latch 3505 may be automatically activated tokeep latch 3505 in a locked state to prevent unauthorized access toand/or removal of CSS 3500 (and any contents within CSS 3500).

In more detail, such an automatic failsafe mode using an exemplary smartlatching feature may have the autonomous controller (e.g., autonomouscontrol system 3100 in MAM 1725) being further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to receive base feedback sensor data fromthe mobility controller 1825 (e.g., from sensors 1825 on MA 1705 asrelayed to autonomous control system 3100 on MAM 1725 through the commonmodular component power and data transport bus 3320 shown in FIG. 33 forthe assembly 1700); receive the onboard sensor data from the autonomymodule sensors 2810; detect an adverse approaching impact based upon thebase feedback sensor data and the onboard sensor data; generate afailsafe mode unlock signal for the actuated electro-mechanical lockdisposed on the modular cargo storage system in response to the detectedadverse approaching impact; and transmit the failsafe mode unlock signalto the actuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storagesystem over the common modular component power and data transport bus3320 to cause the actuated electro-mechanical lock to unlock the set ofactuated set of latches 2110 a, 2110 b in response to the detectedadverse approaching impact.

In another example where the adverse operation relates to apparatuspower levels, the autonomous controller may be further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to detect an adverse power levelof the auxiliary power source below a failure threshold power level;generate a failsafe mode unlock signal for the actuatedelectro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage system inresponse to the detected adverse power level of the auxiliary powersource 2035 (and/or secondary power source 3120); and transmit thefailsafe mode unlock signal to the actuated electro-mechanical lock onthe modular cargo storage system over the common modular component powerand data transport bus to cause the actuated electro-mechanical lock tounlock the set of actuated set of latches 2110 a, 2110 b in response tothe detected adverse power level of the auxiliary power source.

In still another example where the adverse operation is related to asituation where assistance has been requested, the autonomous controllermay be further programmatically adapted and configured to be operativeto generate a failsafe mode unlock signal for the actuatedelectro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage systemafter transmitting a request for assistance to a server (e.g., server3300) or to an external wireless node (e.g., supplier mobile user accessdevice 3310 or delivery recipient mobile user access device 3315); andtransmit the failsafe mode unlock signal to the actuatedelectro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage system over thecommon modular component power and data transport bus to cause theactuated electro-mechanical lock to unlock the set of actuated set oflatches 2110 a, 2110 b in response to the detected adverse power levelof the auxiliary power source.

Further embodiments of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may beassembled, dispatched, and/or deployed with additional features thatallow for transporting multiple different items/objects and where somemay require different environmental environments than others. Forexample, the CSS unit component 3500 (or CSS 1720) used as part of suchan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be deployed with one or moredetachable organized separator/supports, such as shelving separators3608, that partitions the interior cargo space within the CSS unit intocompartments. As shown in FIG. 36, exemplary shelving separator 3608partitions the payload area within CSS 3500 into different compartmentswhere each may be serviced by different climate control modules (such asexemplary climate control module 2210). In such an embodiment, theshelving may take advantage of the power and data bus on the CSSinterior (e.g., bus 2250) as needed, for example, interior lighting,separate power connections for climate control systems (e.g., multipleexemplary detachable climate control modules 2210 deployed in differentpartitioned compartments of the payload area for separate objectsdestined for different recipients, for objects requiring differentenvironments for transport, and the like). Such climate control systemsmay be detachably fixed to the walls of the CSS or to shelvingseparators 3608 within the payload area.

In a further assembly embodiment, the standing and tiltingfunctionalities of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be utilizedin delivery scenarios where the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 isdelivering to a drop box, parcel locker, or apartment drop-off location.FIG. 37 is a diagram of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 in aconfiguration having a cargo door 1715 extended and in a forward tiltedorientation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention (e.g., byactivating an exemplary selectively adjustable suspension system 1840with actuators to achieve a desired tilt configuration), while FIG. 38is a diagram of the MALVT bot apparatus 1700 in a configuration having acargo door 1715 extended and in a “standup” mode orientation inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention (by activating anexemplary selectively adjustable suspension system 1840 with actuatorsto achieve a desired lift configuration). As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38,embodiments of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may deploy articulatedmovements of the MB 1705 (and the assembled other components of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus) using tilting/lifting modes andconfigurations (as activated with particular actuators within MB 1705 asdiscussed above).

In a further embodiment, alternate lifting mechanisms may be used aspart of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., part of selectivelyadjustable suspension system 1840), such as a “scissor-lift” typemechanism mentioned previously. FIG. 39 is a front view diagram of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 3900 (similar to apparatus 1700) in aconfiguration having a cargo door 1715 extended and in a liftedorientation using articulating scissor-lift 3905 that responsively liftsand lowers the base of MB 1705 (separate from the wheels 1805 and theirwheelbase). FIG. 40 shows the same exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 3900but from a rear view perspective. An apparatus 3900 using such ascissor-lift 3905 may provide a higher lift capability, such as might beneeded for use cases where the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 3900 isinterfacing with other vehicles, building access doors, steps,platforms, etc.

MALVT Bot Apparatus Storage & Assembly Process

In further embodiments, the process of assembling an exemplary MALVT botapparatus from storage may be implemented in a variety of ways. In someembodiments, some of all of the respective modular components that makeup an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 stored in a botstorage location or depot where modular components may be selected forinclusion within an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700.

An embodiment may deploy a pre-assembly process forcheckout/certification before going on-road (“Health Checks”) as part ofan assembled exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., activation ofpredetermined features on the component prior to and once assembled andintegrated as part of the bot apparatus), management systems forhandling processes when dealing with large scale fleets; and thedefinition of particular calibration/periodic maintenance required forparticular components. For example, an exemplary MB 1705 may have itssensors 1815 certified to be calibrated and indicative of a level ofreadiness for a particular assigned logistics operation (e.g., alogistics operation associated with dispatch command and an assigneddispatch use profile used by a bot assembly built for or compatible withthat logistics operation). Other sensors deployed on differentcomponents of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 makelikewise be certified as calibrated in order to meet a readinesslimitation for the assembly 1700 (or component itself). In anotherexample, an exemplary APM 1710 may have its power source charged to athreshold level in order to be certified as ready for deployment (i.e.,indicative of a level of readiness for a particular assigned logisticsoperation).

Another embodiment may have modular components or detachablemodules/pods that may be used as authorized parts of an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700 (e.g., different sized CSS units 1720,different types of detachable climate control modules 2210, removablesensor pods 3005 a with different numbers of sensors and/or types ofsensors in the pod, different sized deployable separators 3608 to usewithin a CSS 1720, and the like) dispensed from a vending unit, machineor other type of modular bot component depot when assembling anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus. Such dispensing may be manually initiatedby a depot technician involved in assembling the exemplary MALVT botapparatus or, in some embodiments, dispensing from the vending machineor depot system may be initiated by an assembly server that has receiveda request for the assembly of the particular exemplary MALVT botapparatus and coordinated with both the depot technician via M2Hmessaging as well as M2M communication with the vending machine. Forexample, such a vending machine may manage and store different types ofmodular components and detachable modules/pods in secure compartments ofa larger storage locker system that may be manually or automaticallyunlocked so that the relevant modular component, detachable module, pod,or separator may be dispensed from its storage location and used whenassembling the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. The processof assembling the dispensed components into an exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700, including AuthN and AuthZ for proper authorized andsecure operation may also involve removal of particular modular botcomponents from a fleet/inventory usage (e.g., for repairs, calibration,charging (e.g., when stored in the vending unit), and the like).Likewise, particular modular bot components that may be leased for useas part of a fleet may be removed from the fleet/inventory (e.g., fromwithin storage in the bot storage facility or within a vending machine)when the lease expires for that component, which may prompt notificationto renew such a lease and enable continued use of the component withoutincurring the disruptive interruption of physical removal of thecomponent from the inventor.

In some assembly embodiments, assembly of the bot apparatus may beproactive (i.e., building an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly fromdifferent modular components ahead of time prior to the bot apparatusassembly being assigned to a particular logistics operation). Otherembodiments may implement more of an “on-demand” or reactive assembly ofan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 in a manner that achievesan authenticated and verified compatible bot apparatus assembly 1700 fora particular logistics operation consistent with an assigned dispatchuse profile for the bot apparatus assembly 1700. FIG. 42 is a diagram ofan exemplary system involved in assembling an exemplary modularautonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus)in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG.42, exemplary system 4200 is shown with a dispatch server 4205, anassembly server 4210, a vending system 4220 located at a bot storagedepot location 4215 and serviced by a depot technician operating amobile wireless node 4225. In general, exemplary dispatch server 4205(which may be implemented as a networked server or a wireless node thatis operated by a third party or dispatching entity to assign aparticular assembly 1700 for a particular logistics operation) mayreceive a dispatch request related to a particular dispatch logisticsoperation requiring an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 tofacilitate pickup and/or delivery of one or more items/objects. In thisexample, exemplary dispatch server 4205 may initiate building of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 for the logistics operationwith an assembly request sent to exemplary assembly server 4210, whichmay manage inventory and direct one or both of vending system 4220 andthe depot technician operating a mobile wireless node 4225 as part ofassembling the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 for thelogistics operation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatembodiments of system 4200 may implement dispatch server 4205 andassembly server 4210 with a common server system supporting dispatchrequests and coordinating the assembly operation that produces aparticular exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 for a specificlogistics operation (or type of logistics operation).

FIG. 41 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method on-demand building of amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly that transports an item beingshipped in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring nowto FIG. 41 and the exemplary assembly environment of system 4200 shownin FIG. 42, exemplary method 4100 begins at step 4105 by receiving arequest for assembly of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly byan assembly server (such as assembly server 4210). At step 4110, method4100 proceeds with the assembly server generating an assigned dispatchuse profile that identifies a type of each of a modular mobility base, amodular auxiliary power module, a modular cargo storage system, and amodular mobile autonomy control module to be used as authorized parts ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly based on the request forassembly. An exemplary embodiment of an assigned dispatch use profile4230 may be implemented as a data structure maintaining data on such aprofile of information about the dispatched logistics operation for thedesired bot apparatus assembly, what will be transported, the types ofmodular components needed in the bot apparatus assembly for thelogistics operation, and authentication information about such modularcomponents for use in verifying compatibility of the components/assemblywith the logistics operation and authenticating the components/assemblymay be used for the logistics operation from a permission standpoint.

Steps 4115-4125 have exemplary method 4100 gathering selected modularcomponents for assembly into the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly. This may involve, for example, the assembly server causingeach of the selected modular mobility base, the selected modularauxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storage system, andthe selected modular mobile autonomy control module to be pulled from amodular bot component storage (such as component storage areas withinbot storage depot location 4215 or from vending system 4220 at the botstorage depot location 4215) as according to the assigned dispatch useprofile (or a desired logistics operation identified in the assigneddispatch use profile). For example, such an action may involvecommunications between assembly server 4210 and the mobile wireless node4225 operated by the depot technician assigned to the build of exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 shown in FIG. 42. As such, the depottechnician operating the mobile wireless node 4225 may gather anexemplary CSS component selected based upon a cargo size characteristicfor the desired logistics operation (e.g., the logistics operationrequires transport of a relatively large object that requires a largersized CSS modular component), or based upon an organized storagecharacteristic for the desired logistics operation (e.g., the logisticsoperation requires transport of multiple items that need to bephysically separated during transport or need to separately climatecontrolled with different desired environments for the different itemsbeing shipped).

Selection of the different modular components, as indicated in theassigned dispatch use profile, may be based upon a variety ofcharacteristics of the particular module and the particular logisticsoperation desired for the bot assembly 1700. For example, the selectedmodular cargo storage system from the modular bot component storage maybe selected based upon an environmental storage characteristic for thedesired logistics operation. In another example, the selected modularmobility base from the modular bot component storage may be selectedbased upon an anticipated path for the desired logistics operation, orbased upon a base sensor requirement for the desired logisticsoperation. In still another example, the selected modular auxiliarypower module from the modular bot component storage may be selectedbased upon a power requirement for the desired logistics operation, orbased upon an articulated delivery assistance requirement for thedesired logistics operation. And in yet another example, the selectedmodular mobile autonomy control module from the modular bot componentstorage may be selected based upon an autonomy module sensor requirementfor the desired logistics operation, display capacity for H2Mcommunications, and the like.

Thus, method 4100 proceeds at step 4115 by detachably mounting aselected modular mobility base to a selected modular auxiliary powermodule using an interlocking alignment interface disposed on each of theselected modular mobility base (e.g., interlocking alignment interface1810 on MB 1705) and the selected modular auxiliary power module (e.g.,an alignment channel or latches on APM 1710). At step 4120, method 4100proceeds by detachably mounting a selected modular cargo storage systemto a top of the selected modular auxiliary power module, and then atstep 4125, method 4100 proceeds by detachably mounting a selectedmodular mobile autonomy control module to a top of the selected modularcargo storage system. Then at step 4130, method 4100 secures theselected modular cargo storage system to each of the selected modularauxiliary power module and the selected modular mobile autonomy controlmodule using a locking handle (e.g., handle 2115) actuating at least oneset of actuated latches (e.g., latches 2110) disposed on the selectedmodular cargo storage system.

At step 4135, method 4100 proceeds with the assembly server downloadingor otherwise transmitting the assigned dispatch use profile for themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly to the selected modular mobileautonomy control module. For example, as shown in FIG. 42, exemplaryassembly server 4210 may establish communication with the autonomouscontroller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) within MAM 1725 anddownload exemplary assigned dispatch use profile 4230 to the autonomouscontroller. Using authentication information contained in the assigneddispatch use profile, method 4100 proceeds at step 4140 byauthenticating each of the selected modular mobility base, the selectedmodular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storagesystem according to authentication information in the assigned dispatchuse profile. Such an authenticating step provides, for example, averification of compatibility for each of the selected modular mobilitybase, the selected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modularcargo storage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy controlmodule. In more detail, the authenticating step may be implemented withcomponent-to-component secure handshaking between proximately attachedones of the selected modular mobility base, the selected modularauxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storage system, andthe selected modular mobile autonomy control module. For example, thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking may be implemented with achallenge and security credential response between proximately attachedones of the selected modular mobility base, the selected modularauxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storage system, andthe selected modular mobile autonomy control module similar to thatexplained with reference to FIG. 34.

In some embodiments of method 4100, step 4140 may have the selectedmodular mobile autonomy control module, as a control element,authenticating each of the selected modular mobility base, the selectedmodular auxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargo storagesystem according to the authentication information in the assigneddispatch use profile. This may be accomplished, for example, with acomponent-to-component secure handshaking between the selected modularmobile autonomy control module and each of the selected modular mobilitybase, the selected modular auxiliary power module, and the selectedmodular cargo storage system according to the authentication informationin the assigned dispatch use profile where the component-to-componentsecure handshaking involves a challenge and security credential responsebetween the selected modular mobile autonomy control module and each ofthe selected modular mobility base, the selected modular auxiliary powermodule, and the selected modular cargo storage system according to theauthentication information in the assigned dispatch use profile.

A further embodiment of method 4100 may also include responsive actionstaken when one of the modular components is not authenticated. Forexample, an embodiment of method 4100 may further include the step oftransmitting a replacement component request message to the assemblyserver 4210 by the selected modular mobile autonomy control module(e.g., exemplary MAM 1725 shown in FIG. 42). In this embodiment, thereplacement component request message indicates that one or more of theselected modular mobility base, the selected modular auxiliary powermodule, and the selected modular cargo storage system are notauthenticated modular components based upon the component-to-componentsecure handshaking between the selected modular mobile autonomy controlmodule and each of the selected modular mobility base, the selectedmodular auxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargo storagesystem. Receipt of the replacement component request message by theassembly server may, for example, cause the assembly server to initiatereplacement of the selected modular mobility base, the selected modularauxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargo storage systemindicated as being not authenticated modular components for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly according to the authenticationinformation in the assigned dispatch use profile.

In still another embodiment of method 4100 where the operatingenvironment may be a fleet logistics environment where multiple MALVTbot apparatus assemblies are maintained and deployed on variouslogistics operations, method 4100 may further include the assemblyserver causing each of the selected modular mobility base, the selectedmodular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storagesystem, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control module to bepulled from a fleet modular bot component storage (e.g., via assemblyserver communications with a fleet depot technician operating a mobilewireless node and/or a fleet vending system similar to that of system4220). However, in this embodiment, the assembly server causes theparticular selected modular components to be pulled from the fleetmodular bot component storage according to one of multiple licensedfleet use profiles. Such a licensed fleet use profile may indicate anoperational permission status relative to a particular modular component(e.g., the leased status of a particular MB or CSS for use in the fleetoperations). Thus, the licensed fleet use profile may include theassigned dispatch use profile with the addition of such relevant fleetusage information, such as permissive status.

Still further embodiments of method 4100 may involve dispensing fromvending machines (e.g., exemplary vending system 4220) as part of theassembly process. For example, an embodiment of method 4100 may furtherinclude the step of dispensing at least one of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storagesystem, and the modular mobile autonomy control module from a vendingmachine. This may involve, in particular, dispensing the modular cargostorage system to be used as one of the authorized parts of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly from a vending machine maintaining amultiple different sized modular cargo storage systems.

In even more detail, such dispensing may involve receiving, by thevending machine, a selection of at least one of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storagesystem, and the modular mobile autonomy control module. Such a selectionbeing received from the assembly server is in response to the requestfor assembly of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and isbeing consistent with the assigned dispatch use profile identifying thetype of each of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobileautonomy control module to be used as the authorized parts of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly based on the request forassembly. With the received selection, the vending machine (e.g.,vending system 4220 as shown in FIG. 42) may dispense the selected oneof the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, themodular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule from the vending machine.

Such vending systems may also be used during assembly of an exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly to dispense other detachable parts used onthe bot apparatus assembly. For example, a further embodiment of method4100 may further include the step of dispensing a detachable module froma vending machine, where the detachable module is deployed within themodular cargo storage system. Such a detachable module may be adetachable climate control module (e.g., exemplary detachable modularclimate control module 2210), a detachable sensor pod (e.g., exemplaryremovable payload sensor pod 3005 a), and a detachable separator thatmay be deployed to partition and organize space within a CSS intodifferent compartments (e.g., separator 3608). Thus, an exemplaryvending machine used in this embodiment of method 4100 may havedifferent types of detachable climate control modules available fordispensing from the vending machine, where each of the different typesof detachable climate control modules has a different environmentalcontrol range; different types of detachable sensor pods available fordispensing from the vending machine, where each of the different typesof detachable sensor pods having a different characteristic type ofsensor; and different types of separators where each type may partitionthe payload area into different numbers of compartments, may providedifferent structural support for items loaded into any partitionedcompartments, may provide different insulation between suchcompartments, and the like.

Integration of Exemplary MALVT Bot Apparatus with Other Systems

As noted earlier, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus or system using suchapparatus may be integrated with existing backend server or IT systemsfor improved and enhanced operations that use and deploy one or morespecially configured exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. These type ofsystems may include servers for dispatch and operational systems forplanning and daily routing and fleet management; pricing and revenuesystems for collection of fees, surcharges, and taxes; mobileintegration to business or IT systems to ensure smart phones are part ofthe customer experience; and enterprise foundational services, includinglogistics services in the address, shipment, and geospatial domains.

Embodiments that integrate an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and/orsystems of such devices may be scaled up for large scale applications aswell as diverse concurrent deployments for different applications.Embodiments that deploy such an integrated approach are designed to becompliant with information security rules and policies (e.g., thoserules and policies for existing business or IT systems) and incorporateprocedures to protect customer data.

As noted above, embodiments may utilize and interface with ahierarchical Internet-of-Things (IoT) type of wireless node network(such as the TRON technology described and referenced above) that is anexample of such a business or IT system. Additionally, embodiments mayuse node and server devices from such a wireless node network as part ofimplementing applications involving an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus andsystems of such devices. For example, as explained above, exemplary nodeand server devices from such a TRON wireless node network may include IDnodes on a lower level of the network, master nodes and/or ULD containernodes at a middle level of the network, and one or more servers at ahigher level of the network. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the control logic (e.g., processor, controller, CPU, GPU, and thelike) deployed in different component units of an exemplary MALVT botapparatus may be considered an ID node, master node, or container nodebased upon such TRON technology.

Consistent with the above overview of TRON wireless network technology,an exemplary TRON wireless node network may include specially configuredprocessing systems and wireless nodes (as opposed to generic computers),such as a server connected to a network. The server is also operativelyconnected to different network components, such as a master node andindirectly to an ID node through the master node. In contrast to ageneric computer, the master node is wireless node device typicallyconnected to a wireless ID node via short-range wireless communications(e.g., Bluetooth® formatted communications) and includes self-locationcircuitry (such as a GPS receiver and antenna). The master node istypically connected to the server through the network via longer-rangewireless communication (e.g., cellular) and/or medium range wirelesscommunication (e.g., wireless local area data networks or Wi-Fi) whereboth short-range and medium-range and longer-range wirelesscommunications may be implemented in hardware (e.g., transceivers andantennas), a combination of hardware and software, and/or via one ormore software defined radios (SDR). And in contrast to a genericcomputer, the wireless ID node is typically a low cost wireless nodedevice that may be easily placed into an package, be integrated as partof packaging (or a component of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus), orotherwise associated with an item to be shipped, tracked and located,such as a package, a person, object (e.g., vehicle, etc.), or componentof an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. Generally, an ID node is capable ofcommunicating directly with a master node but incapable of communicatingdirectly with the server, while a master node is capable ofcommunicating directly with the server and separately and directlycommunicating with other nodes (such as an ID node or another masternode). The ability to deploy a hierarchy of wireless nodes within anexemplary wireless node network to distribute tasks and functions at thedifferent levels in an efficient and economical manner helps tofacilitate a wide variety of adaptive locating, tracking, managing, andreporting applications using such a network of nodes, and can beextended for use with different components of an exemplary MALVT botapparatus (such as exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700) or systems thatuse one or more of such exemplary MALVT bot apparatus.

An exemplary wireless ID node is a transceiver-based processing or logicunit having a short-range radio with variable RF characteristics (e.g.,programmable RF output power range, programmable receiver sensitivity),memory accessible by the processing unit, a timer operatively coupled tothe processing unit, and a power source (e.g., a battery) that providespower for the circuitry of the ID node.

An exemplary master node generally serves as an intelligent bridgebetween an ID node and the server. Accordingly, an exemplary master nodeis generally more sophisticated than an ID node. In one exampleembodiment, an exemplary master node is a device having a processing orlogic unit (such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, CPU, or GPU), ashort-range transceiver (that may have variable RF characteristics) usedfor communicating with other nodes (ID nodes and other master nodes), amedium and/or long-range transceiver for communication with the server,memory accessible by the processing unit, a timer operatively coupled tothe processing unit, and a power source (e.g., a battery or a wiredpower supply connection) that provides power for the circuitry of themaster node. The exemplary master node may be positioned in a knownfixed location or, alternatively, be used as a mobile wireless node(such as the controller/processor used within a MAM component 1725 of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus) having dedicated location positioningcircuitry (e.g., GPS circuitry) to allow the master node to determineits location by itself.

In addition to an ID node and a master node, which are elements of anexemplary TRON wireless node network, a further embodiment of anenhanced exemplary wireless node network may include a specific type ofnode element integrated with, attached to, or otherwise associated witha type of logistics container (such as a ULD used when transportingitems on an aircraft, a trailer capable of being moved by a truck, atrain car capable of being moved on a railway system by a locomotive, anintermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least twodifferent types of transportation modalities, and the like). Thisfurther type of node element is generally referred to as a containernode, and is explained in more detail within U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. US 2016/01232481, which is incorporated by reference.Further embodiments may deploy such a container node as part of anexemplary TRON network application to facilitate enhanced systemscanning capabilities that leverage off using this type of containernode in addition to fixed facility nodes, along with localized scanning,and more intelligent and efficient use of the hierarchy of networkelements to accomplish scanning for ID nodes in order to better handlethe congestion issues anticipated.

An exemplary server from a TRON network application may be considered aspecially configured networked computing platform capable of connectingto and interacting with at least the wireless master nodes and/orcontainer nodes, and may be used as part of an application involving oneor more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (such as exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700 described above) or a system using one or more exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus. As explained in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.8,989,053, a TRON server may be considered to use a programmaticallyconfigured single processor or may be implemented as one or more part ofa specially programmed multi-processor component that communicates withdevices (such as user access devices like smart phones, laptops, orother handheld wireless processing based devices) and wireless nodes(such as a master node or a container node). Such a server may beimplemented as a single computing system, a distributed server (e.g.,separate servers for separate server related tasks), a hierarchicalserver (e.g., a server implemented with multiple levels whereinformation may be maintained at different levels and tasks performed atdifferent levels depending on implementation), or a server farm thatlogically allows multiple distinct components to function as one servercomputing platform device from the perspective of a client. In someregional deployments, an exemplary server may include servers dedicatedfor specific geographic regions as information collected withindifferent regions may include and be subject to different regulatorycontrols and requirements implemented on respective regional servers.

An exemplary TRON server that may be used with an exemplary MALVT botapparatus may deploy more than one memory storage media. The memorystorage media may be in differing non-transitory forms (e.g.,conventional hard disk drives, solid state memory such as flash memory,optical drives, RAID systems, cloud storage configured memory, networkstorage appliances, etc.). Such an exemplary server may be implemented,at its core, with a processing or logic unit coupled to a networkinterface, which facilitates and enables operative connections andcommunications through the network with one or more master nodes,container nodes, as well as, in some embodiments, user access devices.The exemplary server may include a medium and/or long-rangecommunication interface with which to more directly communicate with oneor more master nodes, container nodes, and/or user access devices. Usingthese communication paths as well as program code or program modulesstored on the server and executed by the server, the server generallyoperates to coordinate and manage information related to an ID node asan item associated with the ID node physically moves from one locationto another. This same type of coordination and management may beapplicable to coordinating and managing information related to anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus, components or such an exemplary MALVT botapparatus, and the contents carried by an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus(whether node-enabled packages/items or non-node-enabled packages/itemsas objects within a CSS unit).

As a computing platform, the processing unit of an exemplary server isoperatively coupled to a memory storage and volatile memory, whichcollectively store and provide a variety of executable program code(e.g., server control and management code as well as artificialintelligence (AI) systems for learning about managing network devices,context related to such devices, and anticipated environments related tothe same), data similar to that kept in a master/container/ID node'srespective memory storage (e.g., profile data, security data,association data, shared data, sensor data, location data) and contextdata related to the environment in which the nodes are operating (e.g.,information generated from within the wireless node network andinformation created external to the wireless node network). As such, anexemplary server used as part of an embodiment is specially programmedand configured to interact with the wireless nodes beyond that of beinga generic computer.

In embodiments involving an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (such asexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700), an exemplary MB 1705 may beimplemented using a wireless ID node as the mobility controller orprocessor that performs control for steering and propulsion orinterfaces with separate control logic for steering and propulsion. Thewireless ID node may have wired control signals to such steering andpropulsion systems or interfaces or may send control signals viawireless M2M communications to such systems or interfaces. Thus, an IDnode implementation within an MB 1705 may also have and take advantageof wired and wireless communication with other devices, such as thatexplained in more detail in the TRON Network Reference Informationincorporated by reference.

Likewise, in embodiments involving an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus(such as exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700), an exemplary APM or BAPMcomponent 1710 may be implemented using a wireless ID node as aprocessing and control device that interfaces with the MB 1705 and theMAM 1725. In a further embodiment, an exemplary APM or BAPM 1710 may beimplemented using a wireless master node or container node at a higherlevel of the wireless node network as its processing and control device,where such a master/container node interfaces with the MB 1705, mayinterface with node-enabled objects being transported within a CSS 1720by the APM or BAPM 1710, and further may interface with the MAM 1725and/or server disposed external to the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus.

Further, in embodiments involving an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (suchas exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700), an exemplary MAM component 1725may be implemented using a wireless master node or container node as itsautonomous controller or autonomous control system (i.e., a type ofprocessing and control device), where such a wireless master/containernode may interface with the MB 1720 (e.g., implemented as a wireless IDnode), may interface with node-enabled items/objects being transportedwithin a CSS component 1720 (e.g., where such items/objects may bepackaged or unpackaged items that are wireless ID node or master nodeenabled), may interface with the APM or BAPM 1710 supporting the CSScomponent 1720 (e.g., where the APM or BAPM 1710 may be implementedusing wireless ID nodes, master nodes, or container nodes), and furtherinterface with the server.

Furthermore, embodiments may involve or implement an exemplary MALVT botapparatus (such as exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700) with a wirelessmaster node or container node as its processing and control device inorder to provide TRON infrastructure support. For example, an exemplaryembodiment may involve operations in a warehouse where no or limitedTRON technology based infrastructure support exists for a hierarchicalnetwork of wireless ID nodes, wireless master nodes/container nodes, andspecially programmed and configured backend support servers that canenhanced logistics management of items being shipped. In such anembodiment, one or more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be deployed tohelp assist with and/or help with navigation of another exemplary MALVTbot apparatus transporting an item/object being shipped. For example,one bot apparatus may collaboratively map the operating area of thewarehouse to facilitate movement and navigation by the other exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus transporting an item/object being shipped. This mayhave one bot apparatus deployed with more acute and higher accuracysensors (e.g., LiDAR, RADAR) while allowing for lower sensingrequirements (e.g., proximity sensing, GPS locating, etc.) of the otherexemplary MALVT bot apparatus transporting an item/object being shipped.

In this manner, interfacing TRON-based technology devices and systemswith an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and/or systems using such anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus (such as exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700) may provide contextual awareness of an object/package in shipment(e.g., an object temporarily stored within a CSS unit 1720 of such anassembled bot apparatus 10), provide granular navigation, and manageauthentication of various wireless devices that interoperate for roboticobject/package delivery. The contextual awareness may, for example,involve situational awareness for the environment of the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus, such as the operational environment of the apparatus, theanticipated operational environment of the apparatus (e.g.,environmental, electronic density, physical layout), and regulatorycompliance for the apparatus based on current and anticipated location.

Further Operational Considerations

For embodiments that use an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (such asexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 described above), the particularimplementation of such an exemplary apparatus (or system that uses oneor more of such an exemplary apparatus or components that make up suchand exemplary apparatus) may include one or more of the below listeddifferent features/characteristics for function, use parameters,interoperability factors, and otherwise operational aspects:

Functional/Physical Specifications

Overall Dimensions—The dimensions of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus(e.g., min/max height, width, length) may be impacted by weight andspeed desired/needed as well as operating environment and regulatoryrequirements for the particular practical application where theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus has been programmed and is operative foruse.

Power for MB 1705, APM 1710—The built-in connections in an embodimentmay support multiple batteries that can be plugged into the component,and will not protrude into the cargo unit (e.g., CSS 1720). Anelectrical conduit (such as conduit or bus 2050, 2250) with appropriateplugs may support power transfer from batteries in the MB 1705 (or APM1710) to the MAM 1725, depending on the power needs of the bot apparatusassembly 1700.

Batteries—Batteries as power sources may be interchangeable, chargeableas a standalone battery, or while in MB 1705, APU 1710, if appropriatepower connectors are deployed in the embodiment.

Internal Power—MAM 1725 may be implemented to have an internal powercomponent (e.g., secondary power source 3120) that may provide minimalpower, rechargeable when the unit is in storage. Embodiments of MAM 1725may receive operating power from the MB 1705 or APM 1710 under normaloperating conditions via bus 3115, but allow for switchable power sourceoperations when power from the MB 1705 and/or APM 1710 cease (e.g., withpower monitoring and switching logic as described above relative tosecondary power source 3120).

Locking Mechanisms—System assembly can be performed via mechanicallocking (e.g., via a keypad, traditional key lock, and the like).Embodiments of MB 1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720, and MAM 1725 can bemechanically assembled and fastened during bot provision/assembly at abot storage depot. For customer access to the cargo area (e.g., viacargo door 1715), an embodiment may utilize a powered or actuated lockwithin the CSS 1720 consistent with the description above where such alock may be electronically actuated (rather than just manually). Anexemplary electronic lock may allow for local use only (e.g., activationbetween open/closed states using an electro-mechanical keypad, actuationvia Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Fingerprint, facial scan or otherbiometric input, voice input through a microphone (pass-phrase), and thelike) or may allow for both local and remote interaction (e.g.,activation between open/closed states using a transmission of apredetermined unlock sequence from another bot component or outside thebot apparatus by a remote operator/user operating a connected useraccess device, such as a smartphone or tablet). An embodiment of such anelectronic lock on CSS 1720 (may receive power via the electricalconduit (e.g., conduit 2250). The Cargo Door (e.g., door 1715) may havea mechanical fastening system (e.g., lock 2025) to secure the door whilein transit, but may not require a locking mechanism in other embodiments(e.g., in-station use cases).

Machine to Machine Interaction—An exemplary MALVT bot apparatus atdelivery locations may interface and interact with devices and systemsoutside the bot apparatus on a physical level as well. As such, themechanical design of embodiments of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700 may facilitate interaction with an object receptacle (packagedeposit receptacle). For example, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus mayutilize a retractable front door (such as door 1715) that opens whenexemplary MALVT bot apparatus approaches a particular deliveryreceptacle (e.g., when the bot apparatus detects a current location tobe within a threshold distance of the delivery receptacle, whichresponsively triggers unlocking the CSS 1720 and engaging deliverystructure, such as doors, articulating arms, or the like, to initiateremoval of the object from the bot apparatus and placement of the objectwith the delivery receptacle). In another example, use theabove-described “stand up” and tilt functionality to facilitate agravity delivery of an object (object weight may be a factor) may beaccomplished with the mechanical design that allows for such selectiveactuation of the orientation, angle, tilt, and movement of the botapparatus and its delivery components (e.g., door 1715, moving ramps,conveyors, and the like).

Ground clearance of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus—The adaptivemechanical ground clearance design of embodiments of an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus with, for example, the wheels and suspension system of itsMB 1705, all the bot apparatus to maneuver through and navigatebroken/buckled sidewalks, tree roots, standing water, and grassy slopedterrain. Wheels or other propulsion tracks may be selected for enhancedtraction via tread materials and patterns, and suspensions on the MB1705 may be autonomously and selectively articulable to adaptivelyhandle such environments.

Visual Navigation Indicators—Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus may generate displays that indicate turn signals, braking,vehicle speed, etc. as part of visual displays disposed on the MB 1705,CSS 1720, as well as the MAM 1725 components as described above.Embodiments may deploy lighting for dusk/nighttime operation asdescribed above as well.

Alerts & Sensors—Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus maydeploy proximity sensors to assist with locating itself and collisionavoidance, as well as visual and audio alerts through its displays andspeakers through which such alerts may be broadcast while the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus is en route. Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700 may deploy environmental sensing (e.g., on one or more ofthe MB 1705, APM 1710, CSS 1720, and/or MAM 1725 components) to monitorsound, ambient temperature external and/or internal to the botapparatus, used to adjust runtime parameters (e.g., speed) to ensureadequate battery for route, and used to adjust the route to avoidadverse environmental conditions (e.g., avoid the rain outside if anindoor path is available while en route to a destination).

Collaboration of Multiple MALVT Bot Apparatus—Embodiments may deploy agroup of MALVT bot apparatus assemblies, which may be speciallydispatched and programmed to interact with each other in an advantageouspractical application to collaborate to carry a single larger item. Forexample, this may involve embodiments of a collaboration mode ofmultiple MB units, such as that shown in FIG. 19 where both MB units1705 a, 1705 b are physically connected with one base adapter plate 1905(e.g., implemented with a large or extended sized BAPM 405 to provide alarger support base) capable of handling and supporting a largeritem/object or group of items/objects being shipped. In another example,different exemplar MALVT bot apparatus assemblies may collaborate as animpromptu sort belt with bots and truck.

Cargo Door Closure Mechanisms—Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus may use a cargo door (e.g., door 1715) that is self-closing.For example, the cargo door may be equipped with a delayed springactivated closing (closing after a period of time), a motion sensoractuated closing (closing once a sensor on the bot apparatus (e.g., APM1710, CSS 1720, or MAM 1725) detect there is no movement relative to thearea surrounding the cargo door and electronically causing a responsiveclosure of the cargo door via actuators on the door hinge or the dooritself). Such an embodiment may be useful if a customer does not closethe door after object retrieval, and helps avoid theft of other objectsstill within the CSS 1720 of the bot apparatus.

Operating Specifications: Operational Design Domain (ODD)

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may deploy its MAM 1725(or MB 1720 in certain embodiments) to have and use specific types ofoperational specification data or parameters that may be used as a typeof context data on environment and anticipated environment where the botapparatus 1700 is or will be (or is anticipated to be operating basedupon a planned, predicted or otherwise determined route). Suchoperations specifications that may be included in a dispatch command foran operation (i.e., data that is also referred to collectively as acontextual operations design domain (ODD)) may include, for example,data structures that maintain information on the following:

-   -   Geographic area (e.g., city, rural, mountain desert, etc.);    -   Speed (e.g., max, normal operational speed based on mode);    -   Range (may vary due to environmental conditions, temperature,        terrain, slope);    -   Payload;    -   Roadway types (e.g., street/sidewalk/bike lane, etc.);    -   Terrain (e.g., types of terrain, such as uneven ground,        broken/heaved sidewalk, tree roots, storm drains, curbs, stairs,        rough paved surfaces (gravel/mud), sloped terrain, maximum slope        traversal without excessive battery drain on various surface        types);    -   Operation through standing water (how deep);    -   Temperature/Humidity operational ranges (e.g., including        quantification range/battery as a function of operational        ranges);    -   Weather conditions (e.g., rain intensity/duration, snow/sleet);    -   Weather Ratings for Components (e.g., IP Code specifications,        such as IP67, as it relates to bot component weather resistance        capabilities, such as water resistance, water proof, dust        resistance, and the like).

DOT, NHTSE, Other Regulatory Requirements for Autonomous Ops

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be deployed inpractical use applications where particular regulatory requirementsimpart guidelines or requirements for operation of the bot apparatus asan autonomous vehicle (AV) in operation. Such regulatory requirementsmay, for example, include:

-   -   Object and Event Detection and Response (OEDR);    -   Normal Driving—behavioral competencies;    -   Crash Avoidance Capability;    -   Fallback (minimal risk condition); and    -   Account for State and local regulations that will apply testing        and operation

ADA Consideration of Human Bot Interactions

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be deployed inpractical use applications where standard for accessible design underthe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other standards impartguidelines or requirements on how the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus mayaccommodate customer interaction with special needs customers (e.g.,proximity sensing for strollers, wheelchair uses).

Infrastructure & Lifestyle Management for MALVT Bot Apparatus Components

Storage of components—The components that are assembled into anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 (including detachable sensor pods,replaceable power sources, and the like) may include features andaspects that relate to when those components are not yet assembled andare stored prior to assembly into such a bot apparatus. For example, anexemplary MAM 1725 (or other battery equipped component) may fit into astorage unit (dock) to charge the battery component, download data &check for maintenance needs. When in a storage configuration, anexemplary CSS 1720 may be collapsible (as noted above and shown in FIGS.23 and 24). An exemplary MB unit 1705 may charge when in a “vendingunit”, and interact with a backend server of a Fleet Management System,which collectively allows and enables a type of “First in Last out”usage for MB units charging in the vending unit to ensure uniformoperation throughout the fleet.

Asset Tracking/Data Management

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may implement datacommunications requirements during “off-duty” periods (e.g., on anightly cycle, when recharging particular components, and the like),upload of battery & system metrics, and operational (pickup & delivery)metrics. Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may alsocommunicate with backend fleet management systems (e.g., speciallyconfigured and programmed servers that support one or more exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus 1700 in the below described practical useapplications) for remote real-time operator assist, normal routetracking/mapping, and pickup scheduling.

Evolution of Technology Enablers

Use Cases for 5G Technologies

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and system of multiplesuch bot apparatus may integrate with or deploy massive Internet ofThings (IoT) devices at the core of different components primarily forM2M communications. As such, the use of such high speed IoT devicesintegrated as part of different components may be used for practicalapplications where high-speed throughput, with low latency, is desiredto enable real-time control at high speeds (e.g., up to 500 km/hr) ofthe bot apparatus. Such high speed IoT devices may also provide enhancedmobile broadband for faster service and better coverage for fixed andmoving user access devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, and the like) aswell as for support of extended visualization on such remote devices via3D video, augmented reality, and virtual reality displays on the remotedevices.

Dedicated Short Range Communications

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and system of multiplesuch bot apparatus may also provide low latency, high bandwidthconnectivity for short to medium range 2-way wireless communications.This may take the form of Vehicle to Vehicle Connectivity (V2V) and/orVehicle to Infrastructure Connectivity (V2I).

Smart Cities Integration

Embodiments of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 and system ofmultiple such bot apparatus may further provide interoperability withexemplary Smart City infrastructure frameworks and platforms. Typicalcomponents of such an exemplary framework may include:

-   -   Signal phase and timing message systems, which provides two-way        communication between a traffic signal controller and a mobile        device;    -   Telematics systems, which collect and transmit vehicle data        information real-time to an organization; and    -   Dynamic traffic management systems for autonomous vehicles,        based on real-time traffic data being collected from connected        vehicles

Practical Applications with MALVT BOT Apparatus/Systems

In general, embodiments of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus/system forthe customer as described below may involve an app on a user accessdevice (e.g., a smart phone, laptop, tablet, or other computing device(such as a wireless mobile node)) leveraging wireless, mobile location,GPS, and/or in facility TRON network location. Aspects and features ofwireless node network TRON elements described above that may be used inembodiments to implement some components of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus may be deployed so as to enable the relevant bot apparatuscomponent (e.g., an exemplary MAM 1725) to provide location,association, and authentication for customer-to-machine,machine-to-machine, and location assistance relative to the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus. What follows are different embodiments of practicaluse applications that deploy and use one or more specially programmedMALVT bot apparatus assemblies as a particular device (or componentsthereof) or as a system in use with other exemplary MALVT bot apparatusand/or other systems (such as a backend server specially programmed tosupport the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, a logistics receptacle thatmay interface with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, or a user accessthat may interface with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus).

FIGS. 43A-43F are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) assembly 1700 as it isinvolved in various stages of an exemplary dispatched logisticsoperation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringnow to FIG. 43A, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 is shown inan assembled configuration (e.g., after assembly according to exemplarymethod 4100) with a dispatch server 4205. In this general example,exemplary dispatch server 4205 transmits a dispatch command 4305 throughnetwork 4300 (e.g., via a wireless communication path) for receipt bythe exemplary MAM 1725 in exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700.As part of the exemplary dispatched logistics operation related to thedispatch command 4305, an item or object 4310 may be loaded intoexemplary CSS 1720 after cargo door 1715 is opened. Detection of theloaded item may be accomplished using internal sensor(s) 3130 thatmonitor the payload area in CSS 1720 and under MAM 1725. Once theexemplary CSS 1720 has received item 4310 being shipped or otherwisetransported on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may have the autonomous controller inMAM 1725 direct and control movement of exemplary MB 1705 to moveexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 from one location toanother.

As shown in FIG. 43B, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 isgenerally illustrated in transit and moving towards a destinationlocation for the exemplary dispatched logistics operation identified aspart of the dispatch command 4305. Along the transit route to thedestination location, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 mayuses its location circuitry (e.g., location circuitry 3110 on exemplaryMAM 1725) and sensors deployed on the MAM 1725 and MB 1705 to avoidcollisions as it navigates to the destination location, and encounterpathway obstacles 4310 along the transit route. And as shown in FIG.43B, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may encounter a pathwayobstacle 4310 a (e.g., a door, elevator, lock, and the like) that may bean actuated type of pathway obstacle where a facility node 4320operatively coupled to the pathway obstacle 4310 a controls actuation toclear such an obstacle for exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700and allow further movement past the obstacle. For example, exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may move towards an actuated set ofdoors 4315 a, 4315 b as exemplary pathway obstacle 4310 a, which iscontrolled by building facility node 4320 (e.g., an ID node or masternode) capable of wireless communication with at least exemplary MAM 1725(e.g., with autonomous control system 3100 through wireless radiotransceiver 3125) on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. Assuch, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may coordinatewirelessly with building facility node 4320 to initiate opening of thedoors 4315 a, 4315 b—e.g., through node-to-node association thatpermissively establishes a secure connection between autonomous controlsystem 3100 (operating as a mobile master node) in exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 and the building facility node 4320, or otherhandshaking communication that has exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 transmitting a control signal to cause the buildingfacility node 4320 to actuate the pathway obstacle (i.e., the doors 4315a, 4315 b). A similar interaction between exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 and other building facility nodes may occur with otherpathway obstacles that may be wirelessly actuated to allow exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 to pass (e.g., node-enabled elevator,a node-enabled moving walkway, a node-enabled lift at a loading dock,and the like).

In some situations, pathway obstacles may appear in the transit routefor exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 where such pathwayobstacles are not capable of wireless interaction to initiate clearingof the obstacle. For example, as shown in FIG. 43C, exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 is faced with an exemplary door pathway obstacle4310 b that is manually actuated. In more detail and as shown in FIG.43C, exemplary door pathway obstacle 4310 b is shown with doors 4315 a,4315 b similar to door 4310 a in FIG. 43B, but exemplary door pathwayobstacle 4310 b is actuated via an exemplary obstacle control panel4330. Control panel 4330 may have, for example, buttons, switches,levers, and the like that may be physically contacted to initiateactuation of doors 4315 a, 4315 b. As such, exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 may be deployed with an exemplary articulatingarm 4325 disposed on the assembly 1700. In this embodiment, exemplaryarticulating arm 4325 is shown attached to MAM 1725 and is operativelycoupled to autonomous control system 3100 so as to be responsive tocontrol signals that move the arm 4325 while sensors on MAM 1725, MB1705, and/or deployed on the arm 4325 may generate sensor data (e.g.,proximity data, machine vision data, and the like) that allowsautonomous control system 3100 to guide the arm 4325 to a desiredcontrol input area or selector (e.g., a particular button, switch, andthe like) that actuates doors 4315 a, 4315 b. Control system 3100 isoperative to use the sensor data to recognize the desired control inputarea or selector, and move arm 3425 accordingly to manually contact andinitiate actuation of the pathway obstacle (e.g., manually actuated door4310 b). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an embodiment ofarticulating arm 4325 may be incorporated into other modular componentsof exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and be operativelycontrolled by autonomous control system 3100 with control input to andsensor output from arm 4325 going through bus 3320. Embodiments ofarticular arm 4325 may recess into a storage channel or chamber on oneof the modular components of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700when not in use, and may further assist with loading and unloading ofthe item 4310 during an exemplary dispatched logistics operation.Further, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that othermanually actuated pathway obstacles (e.g., exemplary locks, elevatorbuttons, door handles, and the like) may be interacted with in a similarmanner with one or more articulating arms 4325 disposed on exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700

As exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 continues on its transitroute towards the destination location in this example, exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700 may communicate with a delivery recipient asshown in FIG. 43D. Referring now to FIG. 43D, exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 may, for example, send notifications to thedelivery recipient through wireless communications with a wireless node3315 (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, mobile/fixed ID node or mobile/fixedmaster node) operated by the delivery recipient. Further, exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may receive authentication input fromthe delivery recipient wireless node 3315 so as to performauthentication checks to verify that the delivery recipient is theauthorized delivery recipient for the item 4310 being transported fordelivery within exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. If thedelivery recipient is authenticated to be the authorized deliveryrecipient for item 4310, cargo door 1715 may be actuated to open by theMAM 1725 (i.e., the autonomous control system 3100). Internal sensorsthat monitor the payload within exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700 (e.g., exemplary payload monitoring sensors 3130) may detect whatis in the payload area of the CSS 1720 and may detect when item 4310 isremoved. Such removal may be enhanced with object manipulation systems(e.g., moving belt surfaces, actuated sweeping arms, actuated grabbingarms, and the like as described above) and/or causing the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 to tilt so as to help slide the item4310 towards the cargo door 1715 or, in some instances, out onto theextended surface of door 1715 as shown in FIG. 43F. Directions forremoval may be communicated by exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700 to delivery recipient wireless node 3315 and/or may be displayed onH2M interfaces on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and/or viaaudio directions played through one or more speakers on exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700.

Further details of particular embodiments are presented below fordispatched delivery, pickup, and other specialized applications ofexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 in other types of dispatchedlogistics operations. FIG. 44 is a flow diagram of an exemplary methodfor performing a dispatched logistics operation involving delivery of anitem being shipped using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. Exemplary method 4400 makes use, forexample, of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and exemplarydispatch server 4205. Exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, aspart of method 4400, is equipped with at least a modular mobility base(e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700, a modular auxiliary power module (e.g., exemplary APM1710) providing power for exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, amodular cargo storage system (e.g., exemplary CSS 1720) configured totemporarily maintain what is transported within the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700, and a modular mobile autonomy control module(e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) with its autonomous controller (e.g.,autonomous control system 3100) that autonomously controls operation ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 during method 4400.

Referring now to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4400 begins at step 4405 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a dispatch commandfrom the dispatch server, where the dispatch command includes at leastdestination information and authentication information related to adispatched logistics operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 43A, MAM1725 is part of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and receivesan exemplary dispatch command 4305 from dispatch server 4205. This mayhappen during assembly of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700(e.g., before MAM 1725 is connected with all components of exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700) or once all of the modular componentsof exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 are gathered, connected,and authenticated as authorized modular components to use in assembly1700.

At step 4410, method 4400 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module authenticating that each of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with thedispatched logistics operation. In more detail, at step 4110, theauthentication performed may, for example, verify that the differentcomponents of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 are compatiblewith the particular aspects required to carry out the dispatchedlogistics operation. For example, the authentication information relatedto the dispatched logistics operation that is included in the dispatchcommand may include logistical constraint information on the dispatchedlogistics operation (e.g., information on a determined work environmentfor a particular component of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700 or the assembly 1700 as a combined unit), size/weight limitations,and readiness limitations (e.g., performance threshold(s) for theparticular component/assembly in the dispatched logistics operation). Assuch, the step of authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, that each of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliarypower module, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible withthe dispatched logistics operation may be based at least upon acomparison of each of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliarypower module, and the modular cargo storage system to the logisticalconstraint information on the dispatched logistics operation.

At step 4415, method 4400 proceeds with the modular cargo storage systemreceiving the item being shipped. For example, as shown in FIG. 43A,item 4310 may be received and then maintained within a payload area ofCSS 1720, on a base adapter platform of APM 1710, and below the MAM1725. In more detail, step 4415 may receive the item being shipped withthe modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., MAM 1725) actuating anactuated cargo door (e.g., door 1715) disposed on the modular auxiliarypower module to an open position. As shown in FIG. 43A and explained inmore detail above, actuated cargo door 1715 provides a seal to a payloadarea within the modular CSS 1720 when the actuated cargo door 1715 is ina closed position and the actuated cargo door 1715 provides access tothe payload area within the modular CSS 1720 when the actuated cargodoor 1715 is in the open position. Such an actuated cargo door 1715 maybe actuated by the modular mobile autonomy control module using anactuated joint 2020 on the actuated cargo door 1715 to cause theactuated cargo door 1715 to move from the closed position to the openposition. A further embodiment may have the MAM 1725 actuating the cargodoor by actuating an electro-mechanical lock 2025 on the door 1715 tocause the actuated cargo door 1715 to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position as part of step 4415.

Further embodiments of method 4400 may have step 4415 actuating objectmanipulation systems deployed on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700. For example, step 4415 may involve the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modularcargo storage system to move the item being shipped into a payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system, or actuating an actuatedgrabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab andmove the item being shipped into a payload area within the modular cargostorage system as part of receiving the item being shipped. In anotherexample, step 4415 may involve the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule actuating an actuated belt surface (e.g., moving belt surface2080 a, 2080 b) disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as amovable support surface exposed within a payload area inside the modularcargo storage system. As part of step 4415, the actuated belt surface,when actuated, causes the item as placed on the actuated belt surface tomove within the payload area as part of receiving the item beingshipped.

At step 4420, method 4400 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom an origin location on a route to a destination location identifiedby the destination information. This may, for example, have MAM 1725autonomously causing modular MB 1705 to move from the origin location tothe destination location while avoiding a collision with an obstacle ina transit path on the route to the destination location using sensorsdisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module.

In general, the embodiments described herein may have the modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) autonomously causingthe modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) to move betweenlocations by providing control signals to systems (e.g., mobilitycontroller 1825 for indirect control of propulsion system 1830 andsteering system 1835, or signals that may directly control propulsionsystem 1830 and steering system 1835) based upon feedback the controlmodule receives about its environment (e.g., location data from locationcircuitry 3110, sensor data from externally focused sensors deployed onthe assembly, such as mobility base sensors 1815, autonomy modulesensors 2810, and the like)

Relative to method 4400 and in more detail, step 4420 may involvewirelessly interacting with facility nodes (e.g., ID nodes, masternodes, and the like) that may control different pathway obstacles, suchas elevators, doors, lifts, walkways, locks, and other controlledpathway obstacles that may be cleared through control by suchwireless-enabled facility nodes. For example, the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the origin location onthe route to the destination location identified by the destinationinformation may have the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the originlocation to the destination location while interacting with a wirelessbuilding facility node (e.g., exemplary building facility node 4320) toactuate a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedestination location. Such a pathway obstacle may be an actuated door(e.g., actuated doors 4310 a) controlled by the wireless buildingfacility node, an actuated elevator controlled by the wireless buildingfacility node, or an actuated lock controlled by the wireless buildingfacility node.

For example, interacting with the wireless building facility node toactuate the pathway obstacle may involve establishing an authorizedassociation pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control moduleand the wireless building facility node based upon the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation, and causingthe wireless building facility node to actuate the pathway obstacleafter establishing the authorized association pairing between themodular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless buildingfacility node. In this way, a prerequisite authorized associationpairing of the two wireless nodes (e.g., autonomous controller operatingas a master node in MAM 1725 and the building facility node 4320operating as an ID/master node) establishes a foundational securecommunication path between the nodes and facilitates movement ofassembly 1700 while maintaining a sense of secure access to the buildingfacility node. For example, as shown in FIG. 43B, autonomous controlsystem 3100 of MAM 1725 and building facility node 4320 may permissivelyestablish a trackable and authorized association (e.g., based onsecurity credentials, and involving the generation of association datarepresenting the associative link between the two nodes), which thenallows the autonomous control system 3100 to request building facilitynode 4320 to actuate doors 4310 a.

In other embodiments, step 4420 may involve exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 physically interacting with and engaging apathway obstacle while moving on its transit path to, for example, thedestination location. In more detail, an embodiment of step 4420 mayhave the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causing themodular mobility base to move from the original location to thedestination location while engaging a pathway obstacle disposed in apath on the route to the destination location using an articulating armdisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and usingsensors (e.g., proximity sensors, cameras, vision systems, etc.) on atleast one of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module. For example, as shown in FIG. 43C, exemplaryarticulating arm 4325 may be controlled by MAM 1725 so as to engage acontrol panel 4330 of door 4310 b as part of actuating the doors 4310 bto open and allow assembly 1700 to move through the doors 4310 b.Examples of engaging the pathway obstacle using such an articulating armmay include engaging such a control panel with buttons, switches, orother control elements such as a handle. Such pathway obstacles mayinclude, for example, a manually actuated door, a manually actuatedelevator, or a manually actuated lock (having a handle or knob that canopen/close the lock). In more detail, an embodiment may involve engagingthe pathway obstacle using the articulating arm and sensors with themodular mobile autonomy control module guiding the articulating arm to acontrol element (e.g., control panel, button, switch, handle, and thelike) of the pathway obstacle using one or more of the sensors on atleast one of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, and then having the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule actuating the pathway obstacle once the articulating arm engagesthe control element of the pathway obstacle.

At step 4425, method 4400 proceeds by receiving delivery recipientauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly. The delivery recipient authentication input may beprovided to the modular mobile autonomy control module in variousways—e.g., wirelessly (such as that shown in the example of FIG. 43D),through input on a user input panel, through biometrics, and the like.If the delivery recipient authentication input matches or otherwisecorrelates to at least a portion of the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation indicating the deliveryrecipient providing the delivery recipient authentication input is theauthorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped within assembly1700, the entity providing the delivery recipient authentication inputis determined to be the authorized delivery recipient and the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus 1700 is assured of a proper delivery to anauthorized entity according to the dispatched logistics operation.

At step 4430, method 4400 continues with the modular cargo storagesystem providing selective access to the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system after the delivery recipient authenticationinput received correlates (or otherwise matches) to the portion of theauthentication information indicating the delivery recipient providingthe delivery recipient authentication input is the authorized deliveryrecipient. Selective access, for example, may involve actuating door1715 to an open position providing the authenticated and authorizeddelivery recipient with access to item 4310 as shown in FIG. 43E. Inmore detail, providing selective access as part of step 4430 may, forexample, involve actuating a joint 2020 joint on the actuated cargo door1715 to cause the actuated cargo door 1715 to move from the closedposition to the open position; actuating electro-mechanical lock 2025 onthe actuated cargo door 1715 to cause the actuated cargo door 1715 tounlock before moving from the closed position to the open position.

In other examples, providing selective access as part of step 4430 mayalso have the modular mobile autonomy control module controlling andactuating an actuated sliding arm (e.g., arm 2085 shown in FIG. 20D)disposed on the modular cargo storage system to move the item beingshipped out from a payload area within the modular cargo storage system;controlling and actuating an actuated grabbing arm (e.g., arm 2090 shownin FIG. 20E) disposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab andmove the item being shipped 4310 out from a payload area within themodular cargo storage system, such as to the position shown in FIG. 43F.Further still, providing selective access as part of step 4430 may alsohave the modular mobile autonomy control module controlling andactuating an actuated belt surface (e.g., surfaces 2080 a, 2080 b shownin FIG. 20C) disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movablesupport surface exposed within a payload area inside the modular cargostorage system. In this example, the actuated belt surface, whenactuated, causes the item being shipped 4310 as placed on the actuatedbelt surface to move out from within the payload area, such as to theposition shown in FIG. 43F.

At step 4435, method 4400 then proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the destination location on a return route to the origin locationafter the item being shipped is detected to be removed from within themodular cargo storage system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 43E and43F, exemplary MAM 1725 may be deployed with internal sensors (e.g.,exemplary payload monitoring sensor 3130) integrated as part of MAM 1725or in a detachable sensor pod (e.g., 3005 a). Using such an internalsensor or multiple internal sensors, MAM 1725 may monitor what iscurrently disposed in the payload area of CSS 1720 below the MAM 1725,and detect when the item 4310 has been removed from CSS 1720. Removalmay have the MAM 1725 further identifying the particular item beingremoved to ensure the correct item is removes (e.g., via visual scanningof the item 4310 using one or more of the internal sensors and/ortracking movement of node-enabled items where the location of theparticular node with item 4310 may be detected as being moved). In thisway, MAM 1725 may detect when the appropriate item is removed at thedestination location and, in some cases, provide responsive feedback tothe delivery recipient when an incorrect item is mistakenly removed fromCSS 1720 (e.g., through H2M feedback via visual information generated ondisplays 2815 a, 2815 b, panels 2815, 2900; via audio notification withmessaging delivered through a speaker disposed on the MAM 1725 (or othercomponent of assembly 1700); and/or via M2M electronic notification tothe delivery recipient mobile wireless node 3315.

Further embodiments of method 4400 may authenticate that the entityproviding the delivery recipient authentication input is actually theauthorized delivery recipient in more detailed ways. For example, aspart of step 4425, an embodiment may have the delivery recipientauthentication input received through a user input panel (e.g., userinput panel 2220) disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus andcoupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module. In more detail,such delivery recipient authentication input received by the modularmobile autonomy control module may be an access code provided by thedelivery recipient through the user input panel disposed on the modularcargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module. In another example, the user input panel mayscan and accept biometric input (e.g., fingerprint, facial scan, retinalscan and the like), and the delivery recipient authentication input maybe such biometric input provided by the delivery recipient through theuser input panel disposed on the modular cargo storage system andoperatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

In further examples, the delivery recipient authentication inputreceived by the modular mobile autonomy control module may be providedthrough an external wireless node (e.g., delivery recipient mobilewireless node 3315) disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly. In such an embodiment, the delivery recipientauthentication input received may be a wireless message or signal thatincludes, for example, an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly or biometric input provided by thedelivery recipient through the external wireless node disposed externalto the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

In more detail, the authentication information related to the dispatchedlogistics operation may include an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the item being shipped as part of the dispatched logisticsoperation (e.g., a name, an identification code number, an address,reference biometric data for the authorized delivery recipient,identifier information on a wireless node device (e.g., smartphone,etc.), and the like). As such, a further embodiment may have step ofreceiving the delivery recipient authentication input in step 4425implemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module firstdetecting an advertising signal as the delivery recipient authenticationinput from an external wireless node (e.g., delivery recipient mobilewireless node 3315) within a predetermined range of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the destination location identified bythe destination information; and then having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module authenticating that the external wireless node isassociated with the authorized delivery recipient based upon theidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient (e.g., deliveryrecipient's name) and identifier information within the detectedadvertising signal broadcast from the external wireless node (e.g.,phone number of the smartphone operating as the delivery recipientmobile wireless node 3315).

In another example, the step of receiving the delivery recipientauthentication input in step 4425 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module first detecting an unprompted advertising signal from anexternal wireless node within a predetermined range of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the destination location identified bythe destination information (e.g., detecting such an unprompted signalwithout first transmitting an interrogation signal to cause the signalto be sent from the external wireless node). Once the advertising signalis detected by the modular mobile autonomy control module, thisembodiment of step 4425 proceeds with establishing a secure associationbetween the external node and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule. The secure association between the external node and the modularmobile autonomy control module is reflected in association datagenerated locally on one or both of the external node and the modularmobile autonomy control module, and allows secure sharing of informationbetween the external node and the modular mobile autonomy control moduleas being pre-authorized by the dispatch server and as it relates to thedispatched logistics operation.

Further embodiments may have the delivery recipient authentication inputimplemented using multi-factor authentication input. For example, theprocess of receiving the delivery recipient authentication input mayinvolve multiple steps where each step has the delivery recipientproviding different types of authentication input (where each may beverified against the authentication information from the dispatchedlogistics operation) and where the different types of authenticationinput may be provided in different ways, such as a first step havingfirst authentication input from the delivery recipient being a pass codeprovided on a user input panel on the apparatus 1700, and a second stephaving biometric input from the delivery recipient provided through acamera sensor disposed on the apparatus 1700. Further embodiments mayuse other modes of providing different types of authentication inputthat may be used collectively as the delivery recipient authenticationinput (e.g., wireless input with a text code or other message, audioinput for voice recognition and matching, RFID tag interrogation by anRFID reader disposed on the apparatus 1700 (such as part of the wirelessinterface on MAM 1725), and the like).

As shown in FIGS. 43A, 43E, and 43F, monitoring of the payload area inCSS 1720 may be accomplished with one or more internal payloadmonitoring sensors 3130. In some embodiments, such sensors 3130 (as wellas other sensors deployed on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700) may scan and identify the item being shipped (in addition to orinstead of receiving confirmation via human input that the right itemhas been loaded or unloaded). For example, the step of receiving theitem being shipped in step 4415 of method 4400 may, in a furtherembodiment, involve confirming that the item received corresponds to thedispatched logistics operation based upon a readable identification onthe item received; and receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, a confirmation input acknowledging that the item receivedcorresponds to the dispatched logistics operation based upon thereadable identification on the item received. Such a readableidentification may be a human readable identification disposed on theitem received (e.g., a printed or attached label on the item) and/or amachine readable identification disposed on the item received (e.g., ascannable label, barcode, or other symbol(s) identifying the item). Inmore detail, the confirmation input may be input received on a userinput panel 2220 disposed on the modular cargo storage system andoperatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

In a further example, step 4415 of receiving the item being shipped maybe implemented in a further embodiment of method 4400 with a payloadmonitoring sensor 3130 on the modular mobile autonomy control modulemonitoring a payload area within the modular cargo storage system;detecting, by modular mobile autonomy control module, the item beingshipped within the payload area based upon scan data generated by thepayload monitoring sensor; and confirming that the item detected withinthe payload area corresponds to the dispatched logistics operation basedupon a machine readable identification on the item received as indicatedby the scan data generated by the payload monitoring sensor.

In light of the exemplary method 4400 and its variations of embodimentsdescribed above, further embodiments are described in more detail belowrelative to specific practical application or use cases may deploy anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 in various types of dispatchedlogistics operations.

High Rise Building—Internal Deliveries

An exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may be dispatched fordifferent types of logistics operations in buildings. For example, anembodiment may have one or more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700stored on the ground level of commercial office buildings (e.g., a typeof origin location), and be dispatched in order to complete a deliveryrelated dispatched logistics operation. The item being shipped (e.g.,item 4310) may be food or object deliveries from outside vendors, whichmay be loaded into the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus at the building'slobby by attendants or other persons. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700 then completes delivery without need for third party employeeswalking through the building.

In general, an embodiment may perform exemplary method 4400 with theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 where the apparatus 1700 travels to arecipient in the building as part of the dispatched logistics operationand alerts the recipient of delivery. The recipient (e.g., theauthorized delivery recipient) authenticates delivery via an app runningon a node device (e.g., delivery recipient mobile wireless node 3315)that interacts with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700, via a TRONnode-to-node association implemented as part of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700, or via a display screen (e.g., displays 2815 a, 2815 b)on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. The recipient may then receivedelivery, and the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may then return toits origin location (such as a base in the lobby or another bot storagelocation). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that wireless nodeelements, such as TRON ID nodes and master node, may be used toimplement the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 (e.g., control elementson the apparatus, such as the autonomous control system 3100 on MAM1725) is this particular embodiment and can be leveraged for location,door & lock operation, elevator operation, and authentication asdescribed above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatembodiments may involve on-demand building of an exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly for such building-related deployments (e.g.,consistent with the process explained above relative to FIG. 41,exemplary method 4100, and its variations), as well as embodiments thatmay responsively dispatch an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on abuilding-related dispatched logistics operation (e.g., consistent withthe process explained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4400,and its variations).

For example, in such an embodiment, a further embodiment of exemplarymethod 4400 may further have the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700notifying the delivery recipient of delivery arrival prior toauthenticating input from the recipient that allow access to the itembeing shipped. For example, method 4400 may include the step ofgenerating a display alert for the authorized delivery recipient on adisplay (e.g., 2815 a, 2815 b) on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within athreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information. This allows for autonomous pre-deliverynotification for the delivery recipient, and advantageously allows fordelivery preparations to commence by the delivery recipient withouthaving to require the delivery recipient to leave and go to a differentlocation to pick the delivered item. In another example, method 4400 mayimplement such notification by generating an audio notification for theauthorized delivery recipient on a speaker on the modular mobileautonomy control module once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within a threshold notification range of the destinationlocation identified by the destination information. In still anotherembodiment, method 4400 may further have the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly transmitting a delivery notification message to anexternal wireless node identified to be related to the deliveryrecipient (e.g., delivery recipient mobile wireless node 3315 shown inFIG. 43E) once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within athreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information.

In another embodiment where exemplary method 4400 may be performed, oneor more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be leased to a company with amulti-floor presence in a high rise building (commercial banks, largelaw-firms, etc.). In this particular embodiment and as part of exemplarymethod 4400, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be hailed ordispatched by an employee (e.g., via coordination with dispatch server4205) to receive an item to be delivered to another location within thebuilding. The sender confirms a location for delivery via coordinates,office mapping, or TRON enablement of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusfor locating the apparatus (e.g., a wireless node of the deliveryrecipient that may be located using node location techniques describedabove). The delivery item is then placed inside the exemplary MALVT botapparatus, which then travels through the office space and arrives atthe recipient who authenticates delivery with delivery authenticationinput (e.g., via input on a user input panel prompted using a displayscreen, wireless input via an app on the recipient's wireless mobilenode, TRON node-to-node association), and receives item. The exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus may then return to storage (e.g., a type of originlocation). As noted above, such an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may beequipped with the capability to operate elevators and potentially opendoors using actuated articulating arms and vision systems or viaelectronic integration with a building's automated systems for elevatorsand door openers.

In another embodiment, exemplary method 4400 may be implemented with theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 where the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700 may act as an internal courier ferrying paperwork as theitem 4310 to different floors or across the office. The exemplary MALVTbot apparatus may also be used by delivery company or courier serviceoutside the office. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 may be storedin a leased space and complete deliveries in vertical space with thelobby of the building acting as a hold at location (HAL) type oflogistics receptacle enhanced with a mobile automated delivery to thefinal recipient within the building. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatusin this embodiment will have the capability to operate elevators andpotentially open doors using actuated articulating arms and visionsystems or via electronic integration with a building's automatedsystems for elevators and door openers.

Accordingly, in such an embodiment, a further embodiment of exemplarymethod 4400 involving a multi-floor use case with storage on one floorand dispatch to other floors may have the origin location being astorage location on a predetermined floor of a multi-level facilitywhere the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 1700 is maintaineduntil dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation, and where thedestination location is located on another floor of the multi-levelfacility. In a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400, the originlocation may be a multi-component storage location on a predeterminedfloor of such a multi-level facility where each of the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storagesystem, and the modular mobile autonomy control module used as part ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is maintained in anunassembled form until on-demand assembly of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly occurs (e.g., per exemplary method 4100) in responseto the dispatch command from the dispatch server, and where thedestination location is located on another floor of the multi-levelfacility. In yet another embodiment of exemplary method 4400, the originlocation comprises a multi-component storage location on a predeterminedfloor of a multi-level facility where each of the modular mobility base,the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system,and the modular mobile autonomy control module are leased componentsused as part of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and whereeach of the leased components is maintained until dispatched as part ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly for the dispatchedlogistics operation; and where the destination location is located onanother floor of the multi-level facility.

Thus, while embodiments of method 4400 may have the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly receive the item being shipped at an origin location,other embodiments of method 4400 may have the CSS component of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly receive the item at a separateintermediate loading location for pickup, delivery, or as part of areturn operation. Accordingly, a further embodiment of exemplary method4400 may have the origin location for the dispatched logistics operationbeing a bot storage location where the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is initially maintained and wherein the destination informationdefines an intermediate loading location defined as part of thedestination information (e.g., location coordinates, an identifiedlocation relative to an office mapping, a location of an externalwireless node disposed outside of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly and related to a sender of the item being shipped, a locationof a master node disposed as part of a facility, a lobby location of amulti-floor facility, and the like). In some example embodiments, themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly may be temporarily disposed atthe lobby of the multi-floor facility (as the intermediate loadinglocation) as a hold-at-location logistics receptacle to receive the itembeing shipped before autonomously moving to the destination locationwith the item being shipped.

Movement to the intermediate loading location may, in some cases, beginafter receipt of a confirmation message from the dispatch server, wheresuch a confirmation message verifies the intermediate loading locationas provided by a sender of the item being shipped.

In such an example embodiment involving an intermediate loadinglocation, step 4415 of receiving the item being shipped may have themodular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the bot storage location to the intermediateloading location, and receiving, by the modular cargo storage system,the item being shipped at the intermediate loading location.Additionally, in this example embodiment, step 4420 of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the origin location onthe route to the destination location identified by the destinationinformation may have the modular mobile autonomy control module causingthe modular mobility base to move from the intermediate loading locationon an intermediate delivery route to the destination location identifiedby the destination information. As such, in this example embodiment,step 4435 may then be revised to have to the modular mobile autonomycontrol module cause the modular mobility base to move from thedestination location on the return route to the bot storage locationafter the item being shipped is detected to be removed from within themodular cargo storage system.

In further embodiments related to operations within a hotel environment,exemplary method 4400 may be implemented with the exemplary MALVT botapparatus 1700 where the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be stationedin a hotel lobby. In general and as part of this hotel embodiment, whena customer needs an item delivered to their room (e.g., toiletries,food, etc.), the requested items may be loaded into the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus and the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is dispatched to thecustomers room, another room designated by the customer, or thecustomers location leveraging TRON node locating techniques involvingthe customer's wireless node (e.g., a smartphone operating as a type ofID or master node). The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus arrives atcustomer's room (or other identified delivery location) and alertscustomer that it is there (e.g., via display prompt, audio notification,electronic notification to the customer's user access device, ormachine-to-machine notification via association using TRON elementsoperating as the customer's user access device and the controller in theMAM unit of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus). The customerauthenticates delivery and retrieves the items from the CSS component.The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus ensures all items have been removedand returns to the lobby.

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400involving a separate intermediate loading location and hotelenvironment, the dispatch command from the dispatch server may beinitiated by a hotel customer request received by the dispatch serverfor delivery of the item being shipped (e.g., the requested toiletries,room service items, cleaning supplies, pillows, blankets, and the like)and the bot storage location may be a storage facility within a hotelbuilding (e.g., a storage room near the hotel's retail services,housekeeping facilities, and the like). Likewise, the intermediateloading location may be defined (as part of the destination informationfor the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly) to be a locationwithin the hotel designated by the delivery recipient sending the hotelcustomer request. Such a location within the hotel may, for example, bea designated hotel room within the hotel building, a designated servicesarea within the hotel building, a designated conference room within thehotel building, or a location of an external mobile wireless noderelated to the delivery recipient (such as the location of deliveryrecipient mobile wireless node 3315). And in this further embodiment,method 4400 may also include notifying the delivery recipient of anapproaching delivery once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyis within a threshold notification range of the destination locationwithin the hotel identified by the destination information.

Further embodiments related to operations within a hotel environment mayrelate to luggage being picked up and delivered. In general and as partof this hotel embodiment involving luggage, exemplary method 4400 may beimplemented with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus 1700 where the hotelcustomer may hail an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus for help with luggagewhen checking out. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be dispatchedto the room and the customer loads luggage onto the CSS component of theresponding exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. The exemplary MALVT botapparatus may then follow the customer out to a vehicle, or proceed to aparticular holding area near the hotel lobby (e.g., a loading zone) andawait further interaction with the customer's user access device toproceed to the customer's vehicle. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatusthen may return to a base or other holding location (e.g., back to itsorigin or other bot storage location) once the customer has removedluggage from the CSS unit.

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400involving a hotel environment and luggage as the item being shipped, theorigin location for the dispatched logistics operation may be a botstorage location within a hotel building where the modular autonomousbot apparatus is initially maintained (e.g., in the hotel lobby, in ahotel storage room, and the like). The destination informationidentified in the dispatch commend may be an intermediate loadinglocation (e.g., the hotel customer's hotel room) and a drop-off location(e.g., the hotel lobby). As such, receiving the item being shipped atstep 4415 may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule autonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from thebot storage location to the intermediate loading location, notifying thedelivery recipient of an approaching pickup once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of theintermediate loading location identified by the destination information,and having the modular cargo storage system receiving the item beingshipped (e.g., the customer's luggage) at the intermediate locatinglocation (e.g., the customer's room). Thereafter, this embodiment ofmethod 4400 may autonomously cause the modular mobility base to movefrom the origin location on the route to the destination locationidentified by the destination information as part of step 4420 by havingthe modular mobile autonomy control module causing the modular mobilitybase to move from the intermediate loading location on an intermediatedelivery route to the drop-off location identified by the destinationinformation as the destination location (e.g., the hotel lobby). And,this embodiment of method 4400 may autonomously cause the modularmobility base to move from the destination location on the return routeto the origin location after the item being shipped is detected to beremoved as part of step 4435 by having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the drop-off location on the return route to the bot storagelocation after the item being shipped is detected to be removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system.

In a further embodiment, there may a holding location and a secondarydrop-off location involved, such as a hotel lobby luggage storagelocation and a second drop-off at a loading zone or at the customer'svehicle. As such, exemplary method 4400 may have the modular mobileautonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobility baseto move from the intermediate loading location on the intermediatedelivery route to the drop-off location being implemented by firsthaving the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the intermediate loading locationon the intermediate delivery route to the drop-off location and holdingat the drop-off location as a first holding location identified as partof the destination information (e.g., the hotel luggage storage locationor room), and then autonomously causing the modular mobility base tomove from the first holding location to a secondary drop-off locationidentified as the location of an external mobile wireless node relatedto the delivery recipient. This last step may use node locatingtechniques as well as node-to-node association as described above, andbe implemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module detectingan advertising signal from the external mobile wireless node related tothe delivery recipient; establishing, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an authorized secure association between the modularmobile autonomy control module and the external mobile wireless nodebased upon the authentication information related to the dispatchedlogistics operation; and autonomously causing, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from thefirst holding location to the secondary drop-off location afterestablishing the authorized secure association. In another example, themodular mobile autonomy control module may autonomously cause themodular mobility base to move from the secondary drop-off location tothe bot storage location after the item being shipped is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system at the secondarydrop-off location.

In further embodiments related to operations within a hotel environmentand where the hotel customer requests pickup of an item/object, such astheir luggage, according to an embodiment of method 4400, the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly involved in such a dispatched operation mayoperate in manner that follows the customer after pickup of the item atthe intermediate loading location (e.g., pickup of the customer'sluggage at the customer's hotel room as the intermediate loadinglocation). Accordingly, an embodiment of method 4400 may have the originlocation for the dispatched logistics operation being a bot storagelocation within a hotel building where the modular autonomous botapparatus is initially maintained, and may have the destinationinformation in the dispatch command being an intermediate loadinglocation (e.g., the customer's hotel room) and a drop-off location(e.g., the hotel lobby, a loading zone, or the customer's vehicle). Assuch, the step of receiving the item being shipped in step 4415 may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the bot storage locationto the intermediate loading location; detecting an advertising signalfrom an external mobile wireless node related to the delivery recipient(e.g., mobile wireless node 3315); establishing an authorized secureassociation between the modular mobile autonomy control module and theexternal mobile wireless node based upon the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation, the establishedauthorized secure association authenticating the delivery recipientrelated to the external mobile wireless node; and transmitting, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an impending pickup message tothe external mobile wireless node about an approaching pickup of theitem being shipped once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyhas established the authorized secure association between the modularmobile autonomy control module and the external mobile wireless node;and receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item beingshipped at the intermediate locating location.

Additionally as part of this particular embodiment, step 4420 may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module causing themodular mobility base move from the intermediate loading locationtowards the external mobile wireless node in a following mode as theexternal mobile wireless node moves towards the drop-off location; andwhere step 4435 may be implemented as autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the drop-off location to the bot storage location after theitem being shipped is detected to be removed from within the modularcargo storage system at the drop-off location.

As part of this particular embodiment of exemplary method 4400, the botapparatus 1700 may be an enhanced version where the modular mobilitybase may have a master mobility base, a slave mobility base, and anextended base adapter plate coupled to each of the master mobility baseand the slave mobility base to support the item being shipped, and whereeach of the master and slave mobility bases being responsive to controlinput from the modular mobile autonomy control module to causecoordinated movement of the modular mobility base. Such an enhancedversion of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus used in this embodiment ofmethod 4400 may allow for greater transport loads to be handled by thebot apparatus (e.g., a larger amount of luggage to be picked up from acustomer's hotel room and brought to a drop-off location).

Further embodiments may deploy multiple exemplary MALVT bot apparatus1700, which may cooperate in order to move heavy hard to handle itemsthrough (e.g., furniture) through an office, building, hotel, or otherfacility. In such embodiments, a pair of exemplary bot apparatusassemblies may cooperate via TRON technology, with one acting as amaster and providing coordinated steering and propulsion input to theother sale and collectively use one larger platform able to carryheavier encumbering loads with relative ease compared to office movingand utility services. Coupled exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may alsofollow movers via TRON location enablement (e.g., node locatingtechniques and node-to-node association as described above) similar tohow an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may follow a hotel customer afterpickup of an item (e.g., luggage).

In still another embodiment, multiple exemplary MALVT bot apparatus maycooperate in order to move heavy or hard to handle items in aresidential environment for residents when moving in or unloading largecargo/purchases (e.g., televisions, furniture). For example, anembodiment may use a base pair (e.g., a pair of MBs such as that shownin FIG. 19) as such exemplary bot apparatus that cooperate via TRONtechnology acting as one larger platform (e.g., one MB controlling theother MB, a common MAM controlling the two MBs using master node and IDnode TRON device management technology, or one MAM controlling the otherMAM and MB in another bot) to facilitate carrying heavier or encumberingloads than a single person can carry on their own. Coupled exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus may also follow a moving resident via TRON locationenablement (e.g., node locating techniques and node-to-node associationas described above) similar to how an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus mayfollow a hotel customer after pickup of an item (e.g., luggage).

Further embodiments in a high-rise delivery/pickup logistics operationenvironment may implement exemplary method 4400 with an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus 1700 from a group of one or more exemplary MALVT botapparatus (e.g., a pool of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies thatmay be dispatched) for building maintenance part delivery, shred boxremoval, garbage removal, or office supply delivery within the facility.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above aspects of TRONtechnology may be incorporated into control elements in components ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and leveraged for location, door &lock operation, elevator operation, and authentication using the variousnodes (e.g., different nodes embedded in or in responsive communicationwith an actuated door, lock, or elevator) and node locating techniquesdescribed above.

Additional embodiments where an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may bedispatched according to a dispatch comment may have objects beingdelivered to a delivery, package, or shipped object room (generallyreferred to herein as a facility's object room) and held for finaldelivery until authorized by the end recipient. In general, a deliveryrecipient may receive a notification of delivery and arrange for anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus to complete delivery from the object roomto a housing unit in the facility. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus maybe dispatched with the object to the door of the final recipient whoauthorizes object delivery and receives the objects. The exemplary MALVTbot apparatus may then return to storage, moves on to the next delivery,or returns to an object room to pick up another delivery.

For example, FIG. 46 is a flow diagram of such embodiment of anexemplary method for performing a dispatched logistics operationinvolving pickup, holding at an object holding location, and delivery ofan item being shipped using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. Like that of method 4400, exemplarymethod 4600 makes use, for example, of exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 and exemplary dispatch server 4205. Exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700, as part of method 4600, is equipped with atleast a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary powermodule (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g.,exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what istransported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, anda modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) withits autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) thatautonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 during method 4600.

Referring now to FIG. 46, exemplary method 4600 begins at step 4605 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a dispatch commandfrom the dispatch server, where the dispatch command includes at leastdestination information and authentication information related to thedispatched logistics operation. At step 4610, method 4600 proceeds withthe modular mobile autonomy control module authenticating that each ofthe modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatchedlogistics operation (similar to step 4410 and its variations asdescribed above relative to method 4400). Then, at step 4615, method4600 proceeds with the modular cargo storage system receiving the itembeing shipped at an origin location (similar to step 4415 and itsvariations as described above relative to method 4400).

At step 4620, method 4600 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the originlocation on a route to an object holding location identified by thedestination information. At the object holding location, step 4625 ofmethod 4600 has the modular mobile autonomy control module transmittinga delivery notification message to an external mobile wireless nodeoperated by a delivery recipient for the item being shipped (e.g.,delivery recipient mobile wireless node 3315) when the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold distance fromthe object holding location. At step 4630, the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receives a responsive final delivery message from theexternal mobile wireless node, where the responsive final deliverymessage includes at least a delivery location for the item beingshipped.

At step 4635, method 4600 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the objectholding location to the delivery location identified by the responsivefinal delivery message. At the delivery location, method 4600 proceedsto step 4640 with receiving authentication input by the modular mobileautonomy control module from the delivery recipient. If theauthentication input correlates to at least a portion of theauthentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation, the delivery recipient that provided the authentication inputis determined to be the authorized delivery recipient for the item beingshipped within the module cargo storage system. Thereafter, at step4645, method 4600 proceeds with the modular cargo storage systemproviding selective access to the item being shipped within the modularcargo storage system after the authentication input received correlatesto the portion of the authentication information indicating the deliveryrecipient providing the authentication input is the authorized deliveryrecipient.

A further embodiment of method 4600 may also include the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the delivery location to the originlocation after the item being shipped is detected to be removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system. For example, as shown in FIG.43F, when item 4310 is no longer detected by sensor 3130 to be withinthe CSS 1720, MAM 1725 may autonomously and responsively send steeringand propulsion control signals to the MB 1703, which causes the MB tomove on a route back to the origin location.

In still another embodiment, method 4600 may cause movement from thedelivery location back to the object holding location. In more detail,this may involve having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the deliverylocation to the object holding location after the item being shipped isdetected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system.Further still, method 4600 may also have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module transmitting a second delivery notification message to asecond external mobile wireless node operated by a second deliveryrecipient for an additional item maintained within the modular cargostorage system when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly iswithin the threshold distance from the object holding location. In thisway, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly performing method 4600may return to the object holding location and wait to deliver theadditional item to the second delivery recipient. As such, the modularmobile autonomy control module may then receive a second responsivefinal delivery message from the second external mobile wireless node(where the second responsive final delivery message includes at least asecond delivery location for the additional item maintained within themodular cargo system) and then cause the modular mobility base to movefrom the object holding location to the second delivery locationidentified by the second responsive final delivery message from theexternal mobile wireless node.

In still another embodiment of method 4600, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly may move back to the object holding location topickup an additional item for delivery from that location (rather thanreturning for delivery of an item already and still within the CSSpayload area). In more detail, such a further embodiment of method 4600may have the modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a seconddispatch command from the dispatch server, where the second dispatchcommand includes at least second destination information and secondauthentication information related to a second dispatched logisticsoperation (e.g., delivery of a second item to be picked up at the objectholding location). The modular mobile autonomy control module proceedsin this further embodiment of method 4600 with autonomously causing themodular mobility base to move from the delivery location to the objectholding location after the item being shipped is detected to be removedfrom within the modular cargo storage system; receiving, by the modularcargo storage system, the second item being shipped at the objectholding location; transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, a second delivery notification message to a second externalmobile wireless node operated by a second delivery recipient for thesecond item; and receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, a second responsive final delivery message from the secondexternal mobile wireless node, where the second responsive finaldelivery message included at least a second delivery location for thesecond item. Based upon this second responsive final delivery message,method 4600 continues with the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the objectholding location to the second delivery location identified by thesecond responsive final delivery message from the second external mobilewireless node.

In another embodiment, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be stored inlobby of residential building and dispatched for food deliveriesaccording to either exemplary embodiments of method 4400 or method 4600.In general, when a food delivery arrives, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus may be activated to receive the delivery from a deliveryperson (similar to picking up an item in an object holding location,such as the lobby), and complete the delivery within the building. Oncedelivery is completed, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblyreturns to storage. As with the other embodiments, bot interactionsusing TRON technology may be incorporated and leveraged for location,door & lock operation, elevator operation, and authentication using thevarious nodes (e.g., different nodes embedded in or in responsivecommunication with an actuated door, lock, or elevator) and nodelocating techniques described above. The CSS component of the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly may be compartmentalized or partitionedusing separators (such as exemplary separator 3608), climate controlledusing exemplary detachable climate control modules 2210, and/orinsulated so as to accommodate the intended food to be delivered.

Parts Delivery

Within an environment of a large private corporate facility, anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be dispatched and deployed to act as ashuttle for parts, tools, components, or other needs for mechanics orrepairmen in an embodiment. In general, such an exemplary MALVT botapparatus (e.g., exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700) may beinitially disposed in a centralized warehouse and be dispatched with theappropriate item upon a request by an authorized maintenance person.TRON capabilities enable the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (operating asa master node through its autonomous controller in MAM 1725) to locatethe repair person (via the person's user access device operating as anID node) and make a delivery directly to the recipient without the needfor addresses or mapping which may not be readily available. Therecipient may then authenticate delivery via an app operating on therecipient's user access device, via TRON node interactions forassociation-based authenticated delivery, or via interaction with thedisplay screen on the MAM component. TRON enabled coupled exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus devices may be leveraged for movement of heavy andhard to handle equipment (e.g., using a BAPM and multiple MBs, anenlarged CSS, and a suitably sized MAM). Those skilled in the art willappreciate that embodiments may involve on-demand building of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly for such parts delivery-relateddeployments (e.g., consistent with the process explained above relativeto FIG. 41, exemplary method 4100, and its variations), as well asembodiments that may responsively dispatch an exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly on a parts delivery related dispatched logisticsoperation (e.g., consistent with the process explained above relative toFIG. 44, exemplary method 4400, and its variations; as well asconsistent with the process explained above relative to FIG. 44,exemplary method 4600, and its variations).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400 wherethe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be specially dispatched as ashuttle for such items, the origin location for the dispatched logisticsoperation may be a centralized bot storage location within a warehousewhere the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initially maintained(e.g., assembled proactively into assembly 1700 for such types ofshuttle dispatch operation or in components for on-demand assembly intoa particular exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700). The dispatchcommand sent by the dispatch server may be initiated based upon adispatch request received by the dispatch server, where the dispatchrequest is sent from an authorized maintenance person related to thedispatched logistics operation. Such a dispatch command includesidentifier information of an external mobile wireless node operated bythe authorized maintenance person, and the destination information fromthe dispatch command is a mobile node location of the external mobilewireless node operated by the authorized maintenance person.

In step 4425 in this further embodiment of method 4400, the step ofreceiving deliver recipient authentication input may be through a userinput panel on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly (e.g., inputfrom the delivery recipient in the form of an access code and/orbiometric input), or through wireless authentication based on theidentifier information. In more detail, an embodiment may have step 4425detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an advertisingsignal from the external mobile wireless node as the delivery recipientauthentication input as the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyapproaches the mobile node location of the external mobile wirelessnode. Upson such a detection, the modular mobile autonomy control modulethen authenticates that the external mobile wireless node is associatedwith the authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped withinthe modular cargo storage system (e.g., the parts being shuttled) basedupon (a) the identifier information of the external mobile wireless nodefrom the dispatch command and (b) identifier information within thedetected advertising signal broadcast from the external mobile wirelessnode.

In such a further embodiment of method 4400, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly may be implemented with a specially configuredassembly using a pair of MB units and an extended base adapter plate tohandle heavier loads. In more detail, as part of a further embodiment ofmethod 4400, the modular mobility base compatible with the dispatchedlogistics operation may be implemented using a master mobility base, aslave mobility base, and an extended base adapter plate coupled to eachof the master mobility base and the slave mobility base to support theitem being shipped (such as that shown in FIG. 19). As such, each of themaster mobility base and the slave mobility base are responsive tocontrol input from the modular mobile autonomy control module to causecoordinated movement of the modular mobility bases. Further, the modularcargo storage system compatible with the dispatched logistics operationin such a further embodiment may be one of multiple different sizedmodular cargo storage systems, where the compatible sized modular cargostorage system is one compatible with a size parameter for the itembeing shipped as part of the dispatched logistics operation. Likewise,the modular mobile autonomy control module compatible with thedispatched logistics operation in such a further embodiment may be oneof multiple different sized modular mobile autonomy control modules,where the compatible sized modular mobile autonomy control module is onecompatible with the size parameter for the item being shipped as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation. For example, with the exemplarymaster MB 1705 a and slave MB 1705 b and extended base adapter plate1905 shown in FIG. 19, a compatible CSS 1720 that may mount to plate1905 is larger than with another sized CSS 1720 that would mount toplate 2005, and a similarly sized MAM 1725 would be one compatible withthe larger sized CSS that fits on plate 1905.

Hospital Assistant

In another embodiment, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may configuredand used to serve as a transportation unit for various items throughouta hospital. In general, prescription drugs, for example, may be ferriedfrom a pharmacy within the hospital to the patient's room using theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700). Such an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly may useTRON node elements (such as ID nodes and/or master nodes as discussedabove for control elements) and use such node elements as part of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus to identify and locate the correct nurse(e.g., one that is operating a mobile wireless node, such as node 3315)for delivery and authentication ensuring proper chain of custody ofdrugs. An exemplary MALVT bot apparatus in such an embodiment may carryneeded medical supplies to rooms when requested by hospital staff. Suchan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly may be configured to delivermeals to patients confined to people in rooms, including patients whohave been quarantined due to infectious dieses without fear ofcontamination of hospital staff. An appropriately insulated, organized,and/or climate controlled CSS unit as described above may be used. Anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly may safely and securely pickupand remove biohazard storage boxes as part of a dispatched logisticsoperation to a proper disposal facility, which has the advantage ofhelping to lower the risk of potential infection as well as carrysamples to test areas (or different sites in the case of campushospitals). In such embodiments, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly may be connected to an internal hospital alarm system (e.g.,via wireless monitoring of the alarm system or simply receiving a signalfrom the alarm system—audible, electronic, and the like) andautomatically and responsively move against a wall and out of the waywhen a “code” event (e.g., patient alarm requiring additional doctors ornurses to a patient's room ASAP) occurs. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that in these hospital related deployments, configurations ofsuch an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly, which may use TRON nodesas control elements, may be leveraged for movement of heavy and hard tohandle equipment (e.g., using a BAPM and multiple MBs, an enlarged CSS,and a suitably sized MAM). Additionally, the display elements (e.g.,screens 2815 a, 2815 b, and other light panels) on the MAM 1725 on suchan assembly may present warnings of hazardous contents (e.g., generatedwarning information related to the item being shipped), relayinformation for medication administration (e.g., generated medicaladministration information, such as product warnings on the medicationbeing shipped within the bot apparatus assembly), or act as anauthentication measure to present prompted messages that requestauthentication input so that the item being shipped may be released anddelivered.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may involveon-demand building of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly for suchhospital-related deployments (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 41, exemplary method 4100, and itsvariations), as well as embodiments that may responsively dispatch anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on a hospital related dispatchedlogistics operation (e.g., consistent with the process explained aboverelative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4400, and its variations; as wellas consistent with the process explained above relative to FIG. 44,exemplary method 4600, and its variations).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400 insuch a hospital environment with an intermediate loading location, thebot storage location for the dispatched logistics operation may be acentralized bot storage location within a hospital where the modularautonomous bot apparatus is initially maintained while the intermediateloading location is a medical supply storage (e.g., a pharmaceuticalsupply storage where the item being shipped may be a prescribed medicineaccording to the dispatched logistics operation). The dispatch commandsent by the dispatch server is initiated based upon a dispatch requestreceived by the dispatch server. The dispatch request is sent from anauthorized hospital staff related to the dispatched logistics operation,and the responsive the dispatch command from the dispatch serverincludes identifier information of an external mobile wireless nodeoperated by the authorized hospital staff In more detail, thedestination location in this further embodiment of exemplary method 4400may be a predetermined location within the hospital for a patientcurrently located within the hospital (e.g., a patient's room, a pre-oparea within the hospital, and the like) or the mobile node location ofthe external mobile wireless node operated by the authorized hospitalstaff sending the request (or the mobile node location of anotherdesignated mobile wireless node).

In more detail, such a further embodiment of the exemplary method 4400may also have the modular mobile autonomy control module storing thedelivery recipient authentication input as chain of custody informationfor the item being shipped (e.g., medication, medical supplies, and thelike). Such chain of custody information may be further transmitted to aserver (e.g., a hospital-based server that tracks and accounts formedical supplies being billed to a patient for their care and treatmentwhile in the hospital).

In another example of such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400operating in a hospital environment, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly may be dispatched on a logistics operation involving mealpickup and delivery to patients within the hospital. In more detail andfor example, as part of an embodiment of method 4400, the bot storagelocation for the dispatched logistics operation may be a centralized botstorage location within a hospital where the modular autonomous botapparatus is initially maintained. The dispatch command sent by thedispatch server is initiated based upon a dispatch request received bythe dispatch server and sent from an authorized hospital staff relatedto the dispatched logistics operation. In this embodiment, theintermediate loading location is a hospital meal supply location, andthe modular cargo storage system used in this embodiment of method 4400has a segmented and insulated payload area (e.g., using exemplaryseparators 3608 that are insulated) for transporting meals as the itembeing shipped, and a detachable climate control module (e.g., exemplaryclimate control module 2210) responsive to climate control input fromthe modular mobile autonomy control module to maintain a desiredenvironment within the modular cargo storage system.

In another example of such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400operating in a hospital environment, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly may be dispatched on a logistics operation involving biohazardmaterial as the item being shipped. In more detail and for example, aspart of an embodiment of method 4400, the bot storage location for thedispatched logistics operation may be a centralized bot storage locationwithin a hospital where the modular autonomous bot apparatus isinitially maintained. The dispatch command sent by the dispatch serveris initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatchserver, and sent from an authorized hospital staff related to thebiohazard-related dispatched logistics operation. As part of thisfurther embodiment of exemplary method 4400, the intermediate loadinglocation is a biohazard material repository location, and thedestination location is a biohazard material disposal location. As partof exemplary method 4400 in this particular embodiment, further stepsmay have modular components of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus beingdisconnected and sanitized after the biohazard-related logisticsoperation.

In another example of such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400operating in a hospital environment, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly may be dispatched on a logistics operation where there isresponsive integration and/or actions of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly to a hospital alarm system. In one example, as partof an embodiment of method 4400, method 4400 may further have themodular mobile autonomy control module receiving a wireless hospitalalarm signal during the dispatched logistics operation; and autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to interrupt movement and position themodular mobility base in a predetermined unobstructive position within acurrent environment of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.Such a predetermined unobstructive position may, for example, be aposition against a wall within the current environment of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly as sensed by one or more sensors onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, or a position within thecurrent environment of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly andsensed by the modular mobile autonomy control module to be unoccupiedrelative to movement sensed within the current environment of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. Further embodiments maydetect the hospital alarm with the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule monitoring, using a microphone, for a hospital alarm tone orseries of tones that may be recognized by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module as representing the hospital alarm, which then causes themodular mobility base to interrupt movement and position the modularmobility base in a predetermined unobstructive position within a currentenvironment of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

In still another example of such a further embodiment of exemplarymethod 4400 operating in a hospital environment, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly be deployed and configured with a BAPM and twomodular mobility base units to handle larger items to move within thehospital. For example, as part of an embodiment of method 4400, themodular mobility base compatible with the dispatched logistics operationin method 4400 may include a master mobility base, a slave mobilitybase, and an extended base adapter plate coupled to each of the mastermobility base and the slave mobility base to support the item beingshipped, where each of the master mobility base and the slave mobilitybase is responsive to control input from the modular mobile autonomycontrol module to cause coordinated movement of the modular mobilitybase as required in steps of method 4400.

Likewise, particular types and sizes of modular components of exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly may be specifically selected as needed forspecific the hospital-related dispatched logistics operation involved insuch an embodiment of method 4400. For example, the modular cargostorage system compatible with the dispatched logistics operation withinthe hospital may be one of several different sized modular cargo storagesystems, where the selected one of the different sized modular cargostorage systems is compatible with a size parameter for the item beingshipped as part of the dispatched logistics operation within thehospital. As such, an appropriate CSS 1720 may be used on top of theextended base adapter plate described above in an embodiment where sucha configured bot apparatus is deployed on a dispatched logisticsoperation to pick up and deliver a greater number of items or simplylarger items. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that insuch an example, the modular mobile autonomy control module compatiblewith the dispatched logistics operation within the hospital may also beone of several of different sized modular mobile autonomy controlmodules. And like the modular cargo storage system component, theparticular mobile autonomy control module used for the bot apparatus maybe one that is compatible with the size parameter for the item beingshipped as part of the dispatched logistics operation within thehospital.

Document Delivery

In further embodiments, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be used asa secure courier between office buildings for a variety of companiesthat currently leverage internal staff or foot couriers. For example,law firms, finance firms, government work may be transported securelyand transparently from one office to the other using an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus and its security features. In general, an exemplaryembodiment may have the sender hailing a secure delivery exemplary MALVTbot apparatus using, for example, wireless node interactions between thesender's user access device and the MAM (e.g., having a controlleroperating as a master node where the sender's user access devices isoperating as an ID node). The requested exemplary MALVT bot apparatusresponds and arrives to receive the documents. The security andauthentication needs for the delivery may be selectively deployeddepending on the type of documents, the sender, and the recipient. Thesender may leverage TRON technology in such a secure courier type ofdispatched logistics operation embodiment, which may involve wirelesscommunications with user access devices (e.g., supplier mobile useraccess device 3310 (e.g., a type of mobile ID node or mobile masternode) such as a smartphone or handheld tablet device) and a node-enabledcomponent of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., the autonomouscontroller 3100 on exemplary MAM 1725)) or enter a physical location tocause the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to be dispatched, which mayalert the recipient of departure as well as provide an estimated arrivaltime by the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. In this general exampleinvolving secure courier type of logistics operations, the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus may arrive at location and alert the recipient ofdelivery. The recipient may receive delivery of the documents within theCSS component with the selected level ofsecurity/authentication/authorization via display screen, app, or TRONimplemented interactive based secure delivery features (e.g.,biometrics, key code, two factor authentication, TRON node-to-nodeassociation, etc.). After delivery, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusmay return to the original storage location, and/or return signed orupdated documents to the sender or third party if needed. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that such secure courier related embodimentsmay involve on-demand building of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly for such secure document delivery-related deployments (e.g.,consistent with the process explained above relative to FIG. 41,exemplary method 4100, and its variations), as well as embodiments thatmay responsively dispatch an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on adocument delivery-related dispatched logistics operation (e.g.,consistent with the process explained above relative to FIG. 44,exemplary method 4400, and its variations; as well as consistent withthe process explained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4600,and its variations).

Accordingly, in further embodiment of exemplary method 4400 involvingsecure document delivery logistics operations, the dispatch command sentby the dispatch server may be initiated based upon a dispatch requestreceived by the dispatch server and where the request is sent from asending entity related to the dispatched logistics operation. Thedispatch command includes sender identifier information of an externalmobile wireless node operated by the sending entity and deliveryrecipient identifier information related to a delivery recipient for theitem being shipped. Further, as part of this embodiment of method 4400,the origin location for the dispatched logistics operation is a botstorage location where the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initiallymaintained and the destination information defines an intermediateloading location defined as part of the destination information. As partof this embodiment of exemplary method 4400, the step of receiving theitem being shipped at step 4415 has the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule autonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from thebot storage location to the intermediate loading location (e.g., amobile node location of the external mobile wireless node operated bythe sending entity); receiving sending entity authentication input bythe modular mobile autonomy control module from the sending entity,where the sending entity authentication input correlates to a portion ofthe authentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation indicating the sending entity providing that sending entityauthentication input is an authorized provider for the item beingshipped within the module cargo storage system as part of the dispatchedlogistics operation; having the modular cargo storage system providingselective access to within the modular cargo storage system after thesending entity authentication input is confirmed to be from theauthorized provider for the item (i.e., the received sending entityauthentication input correlates to the portion of the authenticationinformation indicating the sending entity providing the sending entityauthentication input is the authorized provider for the item beingshipped); receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item beingshipped (e.g., one or more documents to be transported within themodular cargo storage system) at the intermediate locating location; andsecuring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the item beingshipped within the modular cargo storage system. Additionally, as partof this embodiment of exemplary method 4400, step 4420 may beimplemented as causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate loading locationon an intermediate delivery route to the destination location identifiedby the destination information (e.g., a mobile node location of anexternal mobile wireless node operated by the delivery recipient), andstep 4435 may be implemented as autonomously causing, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move fromthe destination location on the return route to the bot storage locationafter the item being shipped is detected to be removed from within themodular cargo storage system.

In more detail and as part of this further embodiment of method 4400,the step of receiving the sending entity authentication input may befurther implemented with wireless input, input through a user inputpanel (or other sensor) on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus involved inthe operation, or recognized voice input through a microphone on theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus. For example, the modular mobile autonomycontrol module may first detect an advertising signal from the sendingentity's mobile wireless node as the sending entity authentication inputas the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (e.g., exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700) approaches the mobile node location of thesending entity's external mobile wireless node, and then authenticatethat the external mobile wireless node operated by the sending entity isassociated with the sending entity for the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system based upon (a) the identifier informationof the external mobile wireless node operated by the sending entity fromthe dispatch command and (b) identifier information within the detectedadvertising signal.

In another example in such an embodiment of method 4400, the sendingentity authentication input received by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module may be provided as an access code through a user inputpanel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to themodular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary user input panel2220), biometric input provided the user input panel disposed or via asensor disposed on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly, orwireless input from an external mobile wireless node, or a combinationof such input in a multi-factor form of authentication input.

In more detail and as part of this further embodiment of method 4400,the step of receiving the delivery recipient authentication input may besimilarly implemented with wireless input, input through a user inputpanel (or other sensor) on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus involved inthe operation, or recognized voice input through a microphone on theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus. For example, the modular mobile autonomycontrol module may first detect an advertising signal from the deliveryrecipient's mobile wireless node as the delivery recipientauthentication input as the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(e.g., exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700) approaches themobile node location of the delivery recipient's external mobilewireless node, and then authenticate that the external mobile wirelessnode operated by the delivery recipient is associated with theauthorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system based upon (a) the delivery recipientidentifier information from the dispatch command and (b) identifierinformation of the external mobile wireless node operated by thedelivery recipient within the detected advertising signal.

In still another example in such an embodiment of method 4400, thedelivery recipient authentication input received by the modular mobileautonomy control module may be provided as an access code through a userinput panel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled tothe modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary user inputpanel 2220), biometric input provided the user input panel disposed orvia a sensor disposed on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly, orwireless input from an external mobile wireless node, or a combinationof such input in a multi-factor form of authentication input.

In yet another example in such an embodiment of method 4400 involvingsecure delivery of documents, method 4400 may further include the stepof transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a pickupnotification to the sending entity of an approaching pickup as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of theintermediate loading location identified by the destination information.Thereafter, method 4400 may also include the step of transmitting, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, a departure notification tothe delivery recipient of an estimated drop-off as part of thedispatched logistics operation once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly moves a threshold departure distance from the intermediateloading location. Such a departure notification may include an estimatedtime of arrival for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly toarrive at the destination location from a current location of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. An embodiment of method 4400involving secure delivery of documents may also include the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a drop-offnotification to the delivery recipient of an approaching drop-off aspart of the dispatched logistics operation once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information.

Upon delivery of the item being shipped (e.g., documents and the like),the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may, as part of this embodiment ofmethod 4400, return to the sending entity with an additional item withinthe CSS 1720 (e.g., modified or signed documents), or proceed to anotherlocation with such an additional item. For example, step 4435 may beimplemented by autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base to move from the destinationlocation back to the intermediate loading location after the item beingshipped is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem at the destination location and an additional item is detected tobe placed within the modular cargo storage system at the destinationlocation; and then autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediateloading location to the bot storage location after the additional itemis detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage systemat the intermediate loading location.

This may also include steps of receiving secondary sending entityauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module fromthe sending entity while at the intermediate loading location after themodular mobility base returns to the intermediate loading location,where the secondary sending entity authentication input at leastcorrelates to (e.g., matches all or at least a threshold amount of) theportion of the authentication information related to the dispatchedlogistics operation indicating the sending entity that provided thesecondary sending entity authentication input is the authorized providerfor the item being shipped within the module cargo storage system aspart of the dispatched logistics operation. The modular cargo storagesystem may then provide selective access to within the modular cargostorage system for removal of the additional item after the secondarysending entity authentication input received correlates to the portionof the authentication information indicating the sending entityproviding the secondary sending entity authentication input is theauthorized provider for the item being shipped.

As noted above, upon delivery of the item being shipped (e.g., documentsand the like), the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may, as part of thisembodiment of method 4400, proceed to another location with theadditional item. For example, step 4435 may be implemented byautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the destination location to asecondary delivery location after the item being shipped is detected tobe removed from within the modular cargo storage system at thedestination location and after an additional item is detected within themodular cargo storage system while at the destination location, thesecondary delivery location being identified as part of the destinationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation. The modularmobile autonomy control module then may autonomously cause the modularmobility base to move from the secondary delivery location to the botstorage location after the additional item is detected to be removedfrom within the modular cargo storage system at the secondary deliverylocation. In addition, method 4400 in this particular embodiment mayalso proceed by receiving third party entity authentication input by themodular mobile autonomy control module from a third party entity whileat the secondary delivery location after the modular mobility basearrives at the secondary delivery location. The third party entityauthentication input correlates to a portion of the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation indicating thethird party entity that provided the third party entity authenticationinput is an authorized third party recipient for the additional itemwithin the module cargo storage system as part of the dispatchedlogistics operation. Thereafter, the modular cargo storage system mayprovide selective access to within the modular cargo storage system forremoval of the additional item after the third party entityauthentication input received correlates to the portion of theauthentication information indicating the third party entity providingthe third party entity authentication input is the authorized thirdparty recipient for the additional item.

Medical Device Kit

A further embodiment may involve medical kits of supplies used formedical procedures. For example, a surgical implant company, such asSmith & Nephew, may send hospitals one or more “kits” of componentsneeded for a surgery or other medical procedure with a variety of sizesand instruments that may be used for the procedure, but with somecomponents from the kit never being used and remaining in pristinecondition for use in another procedure. In general, a dispatchedexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly in such an environment may haveequipment or components of a medical kit that remains unused after amedical procedure be loaded into a waiting exemplary MALVT bot apparatusstored at the hospital with a centralized return location as thedelivery address mapped (e.g., via TRON node locating techniques or viaGPS location circuitry onboard the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus). Oncethe unused equipment is secured within the CSS 1720 of the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 may autonomously depart and proceed to deliver the unusedequipment from the medical kit. The receiving center at the centralizedreturn location (or elsewhere as defined in the relevant dispatchcommand for the dispatched logistics operation) will receive an updatethat the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is on the way with an estimatedtime of arrival. The recipient at the receiving center authenticatesdelivery with techniques described above (e.g., via app input, input viaa secure TRON node-to-node association, or input prompted through adisplay screen, such as voice input, or biometric input via sensors onthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus). If a new kit is needed to replenishinventory it is loaded into the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus returns to the hospital.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may involveon-demand building of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly for suchmedical kit-related deployments (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 41, exemplary method 4100, and itsvariations), as well as embodiments that may responsively dispatch anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on a medical kit-relateddispatched logistics operation (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4400, and itsvariations; as well as consistent with the process explained aboverelative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4600, and its variations).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400involving a hospital environment with an intermediate loading location,the item being shipped may include at least one of multiple componentsof a medical kit used for a medical procedure. The component of themedical kit to be shipped is unused as part of the medical procedure andin condition for use in a second medical procedure (e.g., still sterile,in packaging, and the like). In this further embodiment, the originlocation for the medical kit-related dispatched logistics operation maybe a bot storage location where the modular autonomous bot apparatus isinitially maintained, while the destination information defines anintermediate return loading location (e.g., a room relative to an officemapping, a set of coordinates, or a mobile node location of an externalmobile wireless node operated by the returning entity medical personnel)and a destination location for the dispatched logistics operation as acentralized return location for the component(s) being returned via thisdispatched logistics operation.

Additionally, as part of this further embodiment of method 4400, step4415 in this embodiment may be implemented with the modular mobileautonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobility baseto move from the bot storage location to the intermediate return loadinglocation; receiving returning entity medical personnel authenticationinput by the modular mobile autonomy control module from returningentity medical personnel related to the dispatched logistics operation(where the returning entity medical personnel authentication inputcorrelates to a portion of the authentication information indicating thepersonnel providing the returning entity medical personnelauthentication input is an authorized return supplier for the item beingshipped); providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selectiveaccess to within the modular cargo storage system after the returningentity medical personnel authentication input indicates the returningentity medical personnel is the authorized return supplier for the item(due to the correlation with the authentication information). Themodular cargo storage system may then receive the item being shipped atthe intermediate locating location, and have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module securing the item being shipped within the modular cargostorage system (e.g., by closing the cargo door and/or locking the cargostorage system with the item within it).

Additionally, step 4420 in this embodiment may, as a result beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate loadinglocation (where it has been loaded with the unused part of the medicalkit) on an intermediate delivery route to the destination locationidentified by the destination information. Thereafter, step 4435 in thisembodiment may be implemented by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule autonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from thedestination location on the return route to the bot storage locationafter the item being shipped (e.g., the unused part of the medical kit)is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage systemusing, for example, internal sensor 3130 on MAM 1725 that monitors thepayload area of CSS 1720.

In a further example, the step of receiving the returning entity medicalpersonnel authentication input may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module detecting an advertising signal from the external mobilewireless node operated by the returning entity medical personnel as thereturning entity medical personnel authentication input when the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly approaches the mobile node location ofthe external mobile wireless node operated by the returning entitymedical personnel; and the modular mobile autonomy control moduleauthenticating that the external mobile wireless node operated by thereturning entity medical personnel is associated with the returningentity medical personnel for the item being shipped within the modularcargo storage system based upon (a) the identifier information of theexternal mobile wireless node operated by the returning entity medicalpersonnel from the dispatch command and (b) identifier informationwithin the detected advertising signal. Other ways of authenticating thepickup may be accomplished by, for example, receiving the returningentity medical personnel authentication input through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module (via access code or biometric input), orthrough another sensor on the modular autonomous bot apparatus (e.g., amicrophone).

Similar ways of authenticating the delivery may be employed withdelivery receipt authentication input being received in different formsand using different input mechanisms (e.g., wireless, user input panel,other sensors). For example, the step of receiving the deliveryrecipient authentication input may be implemented in this embodimentwith the modular mobile autonomy control module detecting an advertisingsignal from an external mobile wireless node operated by a centralizedreturn location recipient as the delivery recipient authentication inputas the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly approaches the mobilenode location of the external mobile wireless node operated by thecentralized return location recipient; and then authenticating that themobile wireless node providing such input is associated with thecentralized return location recipient for the item being shipped withinthe modular cargo storage system based upon (a) the delivery recipientidentifier information from the dispatch command and (b) identifierinformation of the external mobile wireless node operated by thecentralized return location recipient within the detected advertisingsignal.

Further still, as part of this medical kit related embodiment of method4400, method 4400 may generate notifications to arrival and departuresof the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. For example, the medicalkit related embodiment of method 4400 described above may include thestep of transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, apickup notification to the returning entity medical personnel of anapproaching pickup as part of the dispatched logistics operation oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the intermediate loading location identified bythe destination information. In another example, method 4400 may alsoinclude the step of transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, a departure notification (which may have an estimated time ofarrival) to the centralized return location recipient of an estimateddrop-off as part of the dispatched logistics operation once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly moves a threshold departure distancefrom the intermediate loading location. The departure notification may,in some embodiments, include an estimated time of arrival for themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly to arrive at the destinationlocation from a current location of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly. Further still, another example of method 4400 may have themodular mobile autonomy control module transmitting a drop-offnotification to the centralized return location recipient of anapproaching drop-off as part of the dispatched logistics operation oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the destination location identified by thedestination information.

In this further embodiment of method 4400 involving a medical kit, theremay be an option to return with a replacement for the unused part or adifferent kit. For example, step 4435 may be implemented by the modularmobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to move from the destination location back to the intermediateloading location after the item being shipped is detected to be removedfrom the CSS at the destination location and an additional item (e.g., areplacement medical kit or a medical kit for a different type of medicalprocedure) is detected to be placed within the CSS at the destinationlocation; and autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the intermediate loading location to the bot storage location afterthe additional item is detected to be removed from within the modularcargo storage system at the intermediate loading location.

Office Document Shredding

Further embodiments may involve logistics operations involving shreddingcontainers and documents to be shredded that need transport. Forexample, one or more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be leased by acommercial document shredding company to take strong box shreddingcontainers (e.g., shred bins) to a singular location in a building to bepicked up, or deliver the shredding containers to a centralized locationreceiving deliveries from multiple buildings overnight. Traditionally,the document shredding company may employ trucks and personnel to emptyshred bins in commercial offices. However, an exemplary MALVT botapparatus may be deployed as part of a dispatched logistics operation togo office-to-office or between certain locations within an office toremove shred bins and take the shredding documents (e.g., within thebins or as documents themselves loaded into an exemplary CSS that canhandle a desired volume of such documents) to a centralized facility,which will drastically cut down on logistic & fleet management costs.The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus in this embodiment may operateelevators, doors, and interact with shred bins using actuatedarticulating arms and vision systems or via electronic integration witha building's automated systems for elevators and door openers. Aspectsof TRON wireless node technology may be incorporated and leveraged forlocation, door & lock operation, elevator operation, machine-to-machineinteraction (e.g., node to node wireless communication) andauthentication using the various nodes (e.g., different nodes embeddedin or in responsive communication with an actuated door, lock, orelevator) and node locating techniques as described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may involveon-demand building of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly for suchoffice shredding-related deployments (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 41, exemplary method 4100, and itsvariations), as well as embodiments that may responsively dispatch anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on an office shredding-relateddispatched logistics operation (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4400, and itsvariations; as well as consistent with the process explained aboverelative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4600, and its variations).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400involving the collection of documents for shredding and used of anintermediate loading location (where the documents are picked up), theitem being shipped by the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly isdocuments collected for secure shredding and, in some cases, may alsoinclude a container that securely maintains such documents to beshredded. The destination location in this further embodiment is acentralized shred pickup facility, and the intermediate loading locationis a location of a container maintaining the documents collected forsecure shredding (e.g., an identified location relative to an officemapping of the container maintaining the documents collected for secureshredding, a location of an external wireless node built into or as apart of the shredding document container maintaining the documentscollected for secure shredding, or a mobile location of the container'swireless node). As such, this particular embodiment of method 4400 mayimplement step 4415 by first receiving pickup authentication input bythe modular mobile autonomy control module from a document supplierthrough a user input panel disposed on the modular autonomous botapparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module; andthen having the modular cargo storage system provide selective access towithin the modular cargo storage system for loading of the item beingshipped after the pickup authentication input received correlates to aportion of the authentication information related to an authorizeddocument supplier.

The pickup recipient authentication input received in this particularembodiment of method 4400 may come in several forms. For example, thepickup recipient authentication input received by the modular mobileautonomy control module may be an access code provided by the documentsupplier through the user input panel disposed on the modular cargostorage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomycontrol module or a biometric input provided by the document supplierthrough the user input panel (which may have a biometric input sensor orscanner).

In another example, receiving the pickup recipient authentication inputmay, in more detail, involve receiving pickup authentication input bythe modular mobile autonomy control module by detecting an advertisingsignal from the external wireless node that is part of the containermaintaining the documents collected for secure shredding and verifyingthe detected advertising signal includes identifier information thatcorrelates to a portion of the authentication information related to anauthorized document supplier for the container. Thereafter, the modularcargo storage system may then provide selective access to within themodular cargo storage system for loading of the item being shipped afterthe pickup authentication input received correlates to the portion ofthe authentication information related to the authorized documentsupplier.

In this particular embodiment of method 4400 involving documents forshredding, the delivery recipient authentication input received may alsocome in various forms. For example, the delivery receipt authenticationinput may be information received through a user input panel disposed onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module, such as an access code provided by the deliveryrecipient through the user input panel or biometric input provided bythe delivery recipient through the user input panel (which has abiometric sensor or scanner) or another sensor that may receive suchbiometric input from the delivery recipient.

In a further example where delivery may be authenticated via wirelessauthentication, the authentication information related to the dispatchedlogistics operation may include an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the item being shipped as part of the dispatched logisticsoperation. Furthermore, the step of receiving the delivery recipientauthentication input at step 4425 may be implemented with the modularmobile autonomy control module detecting an advertising signal as thedelivery recipient authentication input from an external wireless noderelated to the destination location within a predetermined range of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly has arrived at the destination locationidentified by the destination information; and having the modular mobileautonomy control module authenticate that the external wireless noderelated to the destination location is associated with the authorizeddelivery recipient for the item being shipped within the modular cargostorage system based upon the identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient and identifier information within the detected advertisingsignal broadcast from the external wireless node related to thedestination location.

In this particular embodiment of method 4400 involving documents forshredding that may be picked up in a particular shred bin/container,step 4415 may be implemented by deploying an articulating arm (e.g.,exemplary arm 4325, 2090) disposed on the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and using proximity and vision sensors disposed on atleast one of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module to engage the item being shipped (e.g., the shred bincontainer) and placing the item within the modular cargo storage system.In more detail, receiving the item being shipped in this particularembodiment may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule guiding the articulating arm to the item being shipped usingproximity and vision sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module; engaging,by the articulating arm, the item being shipped; and moving, by thearticulating arm, the item being shipped to a position within themodular cargo storage system.

In a further embodiment, the articulating arm may be used to open aclosable access point on the shred bin container and transfer thedocuments to be shredded into the CSS payload area for transport on theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. For example, the step ofreceiving the item being shipped at step 4415 may be implemented withthe modular mobile autonomy control module guiding the articulating armto a closable access point on the container using one or more of theproximity and vision sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module; engaging,by the articulating arm, the closable access point on the container toenabled access to within the container (e.g., opening the containerusing the articulating arm to manipulate the closeable access point);engaging, by the articulating arm, the documents collected for secureshredding; and moving, by the articulating arm, the documents collectedfor secure shredding to a position within the modular cargo storagesystem.

In yet a further embodiment, the articulating arm may be used to obtainthe shred bin container itself and place it within the CSS payload areafor transport on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. Forexample, the step of receiving the item being shipped at step 4415 maybe implemented by deploying an articulating arm disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality of proximity andvision sensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base andthe modular mobile autonomy control module to engage the container andplace the container within the modular cargo storage system. In someembodiments, this may be accomplished with a single articulating arm,but in other embodiments, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly maydeploy multiple articulating arms to use when engaging, manipulating,and moving an item being shipped, such as a shred bin container filledwith documents for shredding.

In still another embodiment of method 4400, the dispatch command mayhave the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly being dispatched topickup documents for shredding from multiple locations before droppingthem all off at a document shredding facility (e.g., a fixed building ora mobile facility deployed outside of an office building in which theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus is conducting the pickup operations). Forexample, an embodiment of method 4400 may have the item being shippedbeing a plurality of documents collected for secure shredding; thedestination location being a centralized shred pickup facility; theorigin location for the dispatched logistics operation being a botstorage location where the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initiallymaintained; and where the destination information defines multipleintermediate loading locations as part of the dispatched logisticsoperation. As such, step 4415 involving receiving the item being shippedmay be implemented with the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the botstorage location to a first of the intermediate loading locations;receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, a first portion of theitem being shipped at first of the intermediate locating locations(e.g., a first group of documents to be shredded); autonomously causing,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility baseto move from the first intermediate loading location to a second of theintermediate loading locations; and receiving, by the modular cargostorage system, a second portion of the item being shipped at first ofthe intermediate locating locations (e.g., a second group of documentsto be shredded). Step 4420 in this embodiment of method 4400 may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the second of theintermediate loading locations to the destination location identified bythe destination information; and step 4435 may be implemented with themodular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the destination location on the return routeto the bot storage location after each of at least the first portion ofthe item being shipped and the second portion of the item being shippedare detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system.

Pharmaceutical Fulfilment

In another embodiment, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be deployedas part of a dispatched logistics operation involving fulfillment ofpharmaceutical orders. In an exemplary embodiment, a third shiftpharmacist at a 24-hour location may prepare overnight prescriptions fornon 24-hour affiliated pharmacies in a micro trade area around the24-hour location, which may allow the collective pharmacy business toutilize off-peak labor. In such a situation, an embodiment of theinvention may have one or more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus for eachnon 24-hour affiliated pharmacy loaded in after the overnightfulfillment of prescriptions at the 24-hour location, and dispatched tothe non-24-hour affiliated pharmacies in time with the opening of thenon-24-hour affiliated pharmacy store locations. Pharmaceuticaltechnicians at such non 24-hour affiliated pharmacy locations may thenauthenticate delivery via an app operating on the technician's useraccess device, via TRON node interactions for association-basedauthenticated delivery, or via interaction with the display screen, userinput panel, and/or sensors on the MAM component. As the technicianunloads the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus may monitor the unload (e.g., making sure what is unloadedfrom the CSS is supposed to be at the new location), ensure that allcontents have been removed, and then the bot apparatus may return to thebase 24-hour location. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus in thisembodiment may run on a particular and reliable schedule in order toensure the technicians are anticipating arrival of such exemplary MALVTbot apparatus with fulfilled ordered. Multi-factor authentication may beimplemented to enhance security, and the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusmay generate and provide chain of custody information related to thetransported pharmaceutical orders being fulfilled. Aspects of TRONwireless node technology may be incorporated and leveraged as controlelements within components of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and withother nodes for location, door & lock operation, elevator operation, andauthentication using the various nodes (e.g., different nodes embeddedin or in responsive communication with an actuated door, lock, orelevator) and node locating techniques described above. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that embodiments may involve on-demand buildingof an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly for such pharmaceuticalfulfillment-related deployments (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 41, exemplary method 4100, and itsvariations), as well as embodiments that may responsively dispatch anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on a pharmaceuticalfulfillment-related dispatched logistics operation (e.g., consistentwith the process explained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method4400, and its variations; as well as consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4600, and itsvariations).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400involving pharmaceutical fulfillment orders, the origin location may bean extended hour centralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescriptionsupplies where the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initiallymaintained. The dispatch command sent by the dispatch server may beinitiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch serverand sent from an authorized pharmaceutical personnel at a remotepharmaceutical outlet served by the extended hour (e.g., 24-hours)centralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescription supplies. Thedispatch command is related to the dispatched logistics operation andincludes at least identifier information of an external mobile wirelessnode operated by the authorized pharmaceutical personnel. Thedestination location identified by the destination information in thedispatch command includes a location of the remote pharmaceutical outletand may also include a mobile node location of an external mobilewireless node operated by the authorized pharmaceutical person.

Related to chain of custody features, this particular embodiment ofexemplary method 4400 may further include the step of generating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, a first inventory data structurecorresponding to the item being shipped upon receiving the item beingshipped. The first inventory data structure includes a first chain ofcustody entry reflecting departure from the extended hour centralizedbase depot for pharmaceutical prescription supplies for the item beingshipped in the custody of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.Method 4400 may also include generating a second chain of custody entrywithin the first inventory data structure after arrival at the remotepharmaceutical outlet, where the second chain of custody reflectsarrival from the extended hour centralized base depot for pharmaceuticalprescription supplies for the item being shipped to the remotepharmaceutical outlet in the custody of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly. Additionally, method 4400 may also includegenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a third chainof custody entry within the first inventory data structure after arrivalat the remote pharmaceutical outlet and after detecting the item beingshipped has been removed from within the modular cargo storage system,the third chain of custody reflecting the item being shipped changingcustody to the remote pharmaceutical outlet from the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly.

In more detail, this particular embodiment of exemplary method 4400 mayautonomously cause the modular mobility base to move from thedestination location on a return route to the origin location after theitem being shipped is detected to be removed from within the modularcargo storage system by having the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule monitoring an unloading status of the modular cargo storagesystem using at least one sensor on at least one of the modular mobileautonomy control module and the modular cargo storage system; detectingwhen the item being shipped is removed from within the modular cargostorage system based upon sensor data from such a sensor; and generatingthe third chain of custody entry within the first inventory datastructure when the sensor data reflects the item being shipped is nolonger within the modular cargo storage system.

In this particular embodiment of method 4400, the dispatch command sentby the dispatch server may be one of multiple dispatch commands fordifferent dispatched logistics operations from the extended hourcentralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescription supplies to theremote pharmaceutical outlet, where the dispatch commands may be sent ona predetermined schedule for the remote pharmaceutical outlet. Inanother example, such different dispatch commands may be for differentdispatched logistics operations from the extended hour centralized basedepot for pharmaceutical prescription supplies to a multiple differentserviced remote pharmaceutical outlets, where the remote pharmaceuticaloutlet is one of the serviced remote pharmaceutical outlets by theextended hour centralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescriptionsupplies.

As noted above, the use of multi-factor or multi-level authenticationmay be deployed with authenticating delivery or pickup as part ofembodiments of method 4400. For example, an embodiment of method 4400may have the authentication information related to the dispatchedlogistics operation implemented with multi-level authenticationinformation, such as at least (a) passcode authentication informationand (b) identifier information of an external mobile wireless nodeoperated by the authorized delivery recipient. In another example, themulti-level authentication information may be implemented using distinctcommunication paths for authentication input, such as (a) a firstpasscode authentication information related to a first communicationpath with the delivery recipient (e.g., an access code submitted to theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly via its user input panel) and (b)a second passcode authentication information related to a secondcommunication path with the delivery recipient (e.g., another accesscode or device signature for a wireless mobile node submitted to theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly via its wireless communicationswith the wireless mobile node). Further still, such multi-levelauthentication information may be implemented using, for example, atleast two of passcode authentication information, biometric scanningauthentication information, device signature authentication information,and voice authentication information.

Fleet Augmentation

In an embodiment, one or more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may bestaged as a vehicle type at a business location doing multiple dutywith, for example, print delivery, inventory rebalancing,hold-at-location (HAL) delivery, as part of providing multiple types ofdelivery services. In general, as orders come in, a dispatch system(e.g., a dedicated dispatch server 4205, a server that performsdispatching as well as other business tasks, or a dispatch programmodule running on another business server system) may determine if theorigin and destination, time commitment, and payload are physically andeconomically conducive to dispatching exemplary MALVT bot apparatus forpickup/transit/delivery for a particular time period, such as during thecurrent day. An exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may receive a dispatchorder from the dispatch system and embark on the dispatched logisticsjob covered by the order. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may go topick up a delivery from retailer, customer, or other entity, etc. aspart of an exemplary logistics operation in this embodiment. A fulfillermay receive an alert that the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is in-routewith an estimated time of arrival. The display screen on the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus may offer instructions or information on the order,a fulfillment associate (or system) may load the exemplary MALVT botapparatus and confirm that it can continue the dispatched logistics jobcovered by the order. The end customer then may receive an alert fromthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus along with an estimated time ofarrival such that the end customer may interact with the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus change the window for delivery. If the window for deliveryis significantly changed, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus maytemporarily return to a holding location at the business location(rather than wait at the end customer's location). If not, the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus continues to the end customer and makes the deliverywith authentication procedures. As the end customer unloads theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus maymonitor unloading (e.g., making sure what is unloaded from the CSS issupposed to be at the new location) and ensure that all contents havebeen removed, and then the bot apparatus may return to the baselocation. Aspects of TRON technology may be incorporated and leveragedfor location, door & lock operation, elevator operation, andauthentication using the various nodes (e.g., different nodes embeddedin or in responsive communication with an actuated door, lock, orelevator) and node locating techniques described above. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that embodiments may involve on-demand buildingof an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly for such fleetaugmentation-related deployments (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 41, exemplary method 4100, and itsvariations), as well as embodiments that may responsively dispatch anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly on a fleet augmentation-relateddispatched logistics operation (e.g., consistent with the processexplained above relative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4400, and itsvariations; as well as consistent with the process explained aboverelative to FIG. 44, exemplary method 4600, and its variations).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 4400involving a fleet augmentation environment with an intermediate loadinglocation, the origin location may be a location of a business entity fordelivery services where the modular autonomous bot apparatus isinitially maintained, and the dispatch command sent by the dispatchserver is initiated based upon a dispatch request received by thedispatch server and sent from the delivery recipient. In this furtherembodiment, method 4400 may, before the authenticating step 4410,include the step of determining, by the dispatch server, if thedispatched logistics operation related to the dispatch request is afulfillable type of dispatch logistics operation for the business entityfor delivery services based upon fulfillment requirements for thedispatched logistics operation related to the dispatch request, wherethe determining step is performed prior to the authenticating step. Atleast one of the fulfillment requirements may, for example, be alocation parameter (e.g., including the origin location and thedestination location); a timing parameter for conducting the dispatchedlogistics operation relate to the dispatch request; and a payloadparameter for transporting the item being shipped as part of thedispatched logistics operation relate to the dispatch request.

Then, this further embodiment of method 4400 proceeds to step 4410 wherethe modular mobile autonomy control module authenticates that each ofthe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base,the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage systemare compatible with the dispatched logistics operation by verifyingwhether each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargostorage system are compatible with the fulfillment requirements for thedispatched logistics operation related to the dispatch request prior tomoving from the origin location.

Additionally, this further embodiment of method 4400 related to fleetaugmentation may also include notifying, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, a supplier of the item being shipped of (a) anapproaching pickup at the intermediate loading location and (b) anestimated time of arrival at the intermediate loading location beforearriving at the intermediate loading location; receiving supplierauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module fromthe supplier disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly at the intermediate loading location before receiving the itembeing shipped, where the supplier authentication input correlates to aportion of the authentication information related to the dispatchedlogistics operation indicating the supplier that provided the supplierauthentication input is an authorized supplier for the item beingshipped related to the dispatched logistics operation; and notifying, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the delivery recipient of anapproaching delivery after receiving the item being shipped at theintermediate loading location and notifying the delivery recipient of anestimated time of arrival at the destination location. Furthermore, inthis embodiment, the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly may beone of multiple leased modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblies tothe business entity at the origin location or a modular assembly ofdifferent leased modular autonomous bot apparatus components under leaseby the business entity at the origin location.

Additionally, this further embodiment of method 4400 related to fleetaugmentation may also include generating instructions or information onthe order to assist with loading. For example, the step of receiving theitem being shipped at the intermediate loading location may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module generating aloading assistance prompt message on a display disposed on the modularmobile autonomy control module (e.g., display 2815 a, 2815 b). Such aloading assistance prompt message may provide information on the itembeing shipped to be provided by the supplier and instructions forplacing the item being shipped within the modular cargo storage systemas part of the dispatched logistics operation.

Additionally, this further embodiment of method 4400 related to fleetaugmentation may also include notifying the delivery recipient beforethe leaving the pickup/loading location. For example, the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the deliveryrecipient of an approaching delivery after receiving the item beingshipped at the intermediate loading location and notifying the deliveryrecipient of an estimated time of arrival at the destination locationmay be performed after receiving the item being shipped at theintermediate loading location and before the modular mobility basedmoves from the intermediate loading location. In another example, thestep of notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, thedelivery recipient of an approaching delivery after receiving the itembeing shipped at the intermediate loading location and notifying thedelivery recipient of an estimated time of arrival at the destinationlocation may be performed once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within a threshold notification range of the destinationlocation identified by the destination information.

This further embodiment of method 4400 related to fleet augmentation mayalso allow for changing delivery details once item is picked up and thedelivery recipient is notified. For example, this further embodiment ofmethod 4400 may also include the steps of receiving, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, a delivery change notification inresponse to notifying the delivery recipient of the approaching deliveryat the destination location; and altering, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, the intermediate delivery route according tothe delivery change notification. Such an altered intermediate deliveryroute results in a modified delivery (e.g., an altered delivery time ordelivery location) for the item being shipped according to the deliverychange notification. In more detail, such a modified delivery may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module causing themodular mobility base to move on a modified return route to a holdinglocation (e.g., the intermediate holding location) before moving to analtered destination location for delivery of the item being shipped atan altered time for delivery at the altered destination location.

This further embodiment of method 4400 related to fleet augmentation mayalso have monitored unloading to make sure the correct item is unloadedfrom within the modular cargo storage system of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus system. For example, this further embodiment of method 4400may also include verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, an unload status of the item being shipped using one or moresensors (e.g, sensors 3130) on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule that monitors a payload area of the modular cargo storage system.Such an unload status may reflect an identifier of the item beingshipped that has been removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem.

In another example, this further embodiment of method 4400 may includethe step of verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,that an object removed from within the payload area of the modular cargostorage system using the one or more sensors is the item being shippedand authorized to be removed at the destination location according tothe dispatched logistics operation. Method 4400 may then also includetransmitting a warning message by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule to the dispatch server when the object removed from within thepayload area of the modular cargo storage system using the one or moresensors is not the item being shipped and authorized to be removed atthe destination location according to the dispatched logisticsoperation, where the warning message indicates an unauthorized unloadingof the modular cargo storage system and includes sensor data from thepayload monitoring sensors. Method 4400 may also include generating anaudio warning message by the modular mobile autonomy control module whenthe object removed from within the payload area of the modular cargostorage system using the one or more sensors is not the item authorizedto be removed at the destination location according to the dispatchedlogistics operation. Such an audio warning message may indicate anunauthorized unloading of the modular cargo storage system andrequesting replacement of the object removed.

Express Pickup

In another embodiment, a customer may request an express pickup of anitem or object for delivery elsewhere via, for example, an online orretailer assisted order where the customer inputs dimension sizes andweight for the item to be picked up. If such information on size andweight allows, a customer may be offered a pick up option by anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus with available pickup windows. In general,an embodiment may dispatch the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly tomeet the customer at a particular address input by the customer or atthe customer's location (e.g., a location determined by GPS, input,TRON, etc.). The customer may then authenticate pickup via an appoperating on the recipient's user access device, via TRON nodeinteractions for association-based authenticated delivery, or viainteraction with the display screen, sensors, or user input panel on theMAM component. Once authenticated, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusselectively opens to receive the object being picked up. The customerthen places the item/object in the CSS component of the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus, and closes door (or interacts with the MAM component tohave the door of the CSS component closed). The exemplary MALVT botapparatus may scan or communicate with the item/object to ensure thatthe object is inside. Thereafter, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly with the item/object loaded inside returns to drop off theitem/object with the retailer, business, or next courier involved withtransporting the item/object.

FIG. 45 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of an exemplary method4500 for performing a dispatched logistics operation involving pickup ofan item being shipped using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. Like that of method 4400, exemplarymethod 4500 makes use, for example, of exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 and exemplary dispatch server 4205. Exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700, as part of method 4500, is equipped with atleast a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary powermodule (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g.,exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what istransported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, anda modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) withits autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) thatautonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 during method 4500.

Referring now to FIG. 45, exemplary method 4500 begins at step 4505 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a dispatch commandrelated to the dispatched logistics operation from the dispatch server.The dispatch command received includes at least destination informationrelated to a pickup location (e.g., a mobile location of an externalmobile wireless node operated by the authorized pickup entity),authentication information related to an authorized pickup entity, andshipment characteristics of the item being shipped and may also includeidentifier information of the external mobile wireless node operated bythe authorized pickup entity as part of the authentication information.In more detail, the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server may beinitiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch server.Such a dispatch request may be sent by the pickup entity related to thedispatched logistics operation.

At step 4510, method 4500 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module authenticating that each of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with thedispatched logistics operation based upon the shipment characteristicsof the item being shipped as indicated in the dispatch command.Exemplary ways of authenticating that each of the components of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly in step 4510 are authenticatedmay be accomplished as described above, for example as describedrelative to step 4410 or 4610 and their respective variations.

At step 4515, method 4500 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from an originlocation on a route to the pickup location identified by the destinationinformation.

At step 4520, method 4500 proceeds with receiving pickup entityauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma pickup entity disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly. Exemplary ways of receiving authentication inputfrom an entity external to the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblyused in method 4500 in step 4520 may be accomplished with similarmanners of receiving authentication input as described above (e.g., waysof receiving delivery recipient authentication input as describedrelative to step 4425 and its variations).

At step 4525, method 4500 proceeds with determining if the pickup entityauthentication input correlates to the authentication informationrelated to the authorized pickup entity according to the dispatchcommand. For example, exemplary MAM 1725 of exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 may receive the pickup entity authenticationinput (e.g., via user input panel, sensors, wireless communications witha wireless node external to the assembly 1700) and compare the pickupentity authentication input to the authentication information providedin the dispatch command sent to MAM 1725. If the received pickup entityauthentication input matches or otherwise correlates to theauthentication information in the dispatch command, MAM 1725 determinesthat the entity providing the pickup entity authentication input is theauthorized pickup entity.

At step 4530, method 4500 proceeds with the modular cargo storage systemproviding selective access to a payload area within the modular cargostorage system only after the pickup entity authentication inputreceived correlates to the authentication information related to theauthorized pickup entity according to the dispatch command, thusensuring a level of secured access to and use of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus when deployed for pickup as part of method 4500.

With access to the payload area of the modular cargo storage systemachieved, method 4500 proceeds at step 4535 with receiving the itembeing shipped. In more detail, step 4535 may receive the item by, forexample, having the modular mobile autonomy control module monitoring apayload area within the modular cargo storage system using at least onesensor on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module andthe modular cargo storage system, and detecting when the item isreceived within the modular cargo storage system based upon sensor datafrom the sensor. For example, exemplary MAM 1725 may use its payloadmonitoring sensors (e.g., sensors 3130) to detect when the item isreceived within the CSS 1720. In another example, an exemplary CSS 1720may have its own payload monitoring sensors operatively coupled toautonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725 through bus 2250, and suchCSS sensors may detect when the item is received within the CSS 1720. Afurther example may have the CSS 1720 partitioned with separators 3608into different compartments, where each compartment may have dedicatedpayload monitoring sensors that monitor what is in the respectivecompartment within CSS 1720 so that those different compartmentalpayload monitoring sensors may provide sensor data to MAM 1725 throughbus 2250 for monitoring when an item is received within a particularcompartment of CSS 1720.

In a further implementation of step 4535, the step of receiving the itembeing shipped may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module monitoring the payload area within the modular cargostorage system for a wireless node associated with the item beingshipped, and detecting when the item being shipped is received withinthe modular cargo storage system when the wireless node associated withthe item being shipped is determined to be located within the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system based upon one or moredetected signals broadcast by the wireless node associated with the itembeing shipped. The detected signal may involve or initiate anode-to-node association of the wireless node associated with the itemand the autonomous controller on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule (e.g., autonomous control system 3100 on MAM 1725), or may beused to locate the wireless node associated with the item and determinethe item is within the CSS. For example, the detected signal from theitem's wireless node (e.g., an ID node) may be sensed by the controllerof the MAM 1725 using TRON node-locating techniques as described hereinso as to allow MAM 1725 to detect the location of a item's wireless noseand, as a result, detect when the item is received within the CSS 1720for transport within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700.

Receiving the item at the pickup location as part of step 4535 mayinvolve personnel at the pickup location, who may be prompted viadisplays, sounds, or messages to their wireless nodes to place the iteminto the modular cargo storage system of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700. However, step 4535 may be implemented withoutpersonnel present at the pickup location via use of articulating arms(e.g., arm 4325) or other object manipulation systems described abovethat may be deployed by exemplary modular components of the assembly(e.g., moving belt surfaces 2080 a, 2080 b, sweeping arms 2085, 2700,grabbing arms 2090, 2710) as part of receiving the item being picked up.Additionally, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may interactwith a logistics receptacle (such as a drop box or parcel locker,similar to how assembly 1700 may engage and remove documents forshredding from a shred bin container), via manual manipulation ofhandles, keypads, or other access points of the logistics receptacle asa type of pathway obstacle to be cleared by the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 so that the item may be received into the CSS1720 of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. As such, step4535 of method 4500 may involve clearing this type of pathway obstacle(e.g., a logistics receptacle, such as a drop-box or parcel locker) togain unrestricted access to such a logistics receptacle without helpfrom personnel at the pickup location. In more detail, step 4535 may beimplemented by deploying an articulating arm disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly (e.g., arm 4325) and sensors (e.g.,proximity and vision sensors) disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to engagethe item being shipped and place the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system. More particularly, an embodiment of step4535 may involve deploying an articulating arm disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly and using proximity and vision sensorsdisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module to engage a logistics receptaclecurrently maintaining the item being shipped; guiding, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the articulating arm to a closableaccess point (e.g., a door, lid, access opening, and the like) on thelogistics receptacle using one or more of the proximity and visionsensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and themodular mobile autonomy control module; engaging, by the articulatingarm, the closable access point on the container to enabled access towithin the logistics receptacle; engaging, by the articulating arm, theitem being shipped while maintained within the logistics receptacle; andmoving, by the articulating arm, the item being shipped from within thelogistics receptacle to a position within the modular cargo storagesystem.

At step 4540, method 4500 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the pickup location on a return route to the origin location afterthe item being shipped is detected to be received within the modularcargo storage system. In a more detailed embodiment, step 4540 may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the pickup location to asecondary pickup location for an additional item being shipped accordingto a secondary dispatched logistics operation identified in a subsequentdispatch commend received by the modular mobile autonomy control moduleand from the dispatch server. The additional item may be received by themodular cargo storage system, and then the modular mobile autonomycontrol module may responsively and autonomously cause the modularmobility base to move from the secondary pickup location to the originlocation after the additional item being shipped is detected to bereceived within the modular cargo storage system.

Inventory Management

In another embodiment, a business establishment may have multiplelocations within a trade area that is small enough to fit within therange of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. Such an embodiment may havethe business establishment sending an exemplary MALVT bot apparatusbetween locations to pick up and drop off inventory in order to balanceinventory or to eliminate a temporary stock outage. For example, anembodiment may use an inventory “hub” location” as a way of avoidingvendor charges for small order penalties and/or to avoid overordering/overstocking. The inventory hub location of the businessestablishment's location may order a quantity of product (generallyreferred to as an inventory item) above a minimum order penalty and fora maximum discount/buying power. Upon receipt of the order, the hublocation would have the business establishment split the received orderinto smaller orders (which may include one or more of the inventoryitems), dispatch an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to each “spoke” storelocation leveraging TRON, GPS, or mapping for directions with theirsmall quantity for stocking. The recipient at the remote businesslocation may then authenticate delivery via an app operating on therecipient's user access device, via TRON node interactions forassociation-based authenticated delivery, or via interaction with thedisplay screen on the MAM component. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatuswould then return to base at the hub location or be placed, for example,into a ready for dispatch group at the spoke location. Real-time smallbatch restocking can help business establishments operate on aJust-In-Time inventory system. The display screen on the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus' MAM component may also be leveraged as informational oradvertising space for customers.

FIGS. 47A-50B describe different embodiments related to inventory itemsthat may be transported as part of a dispatched logistics operation onan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. In more detail, FIG. 47A-47Bare diagrams of an exemplary system involving an exemplary modularautonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus)the performs an inventory management related dispatched logisticsoperation related to an inventory item at an inventory hub location andone of multiple remote business locations in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 47B, an exemplarygroup of business locations 4700 are shown and include exemplaryinventory hub location 4705 along with remote business facilities 4725a-4725 d. At exemplary inventory hub location 4705, a server 4720 may beoperating as a dispatch server for sending dispatch commands toexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies (such as assembly 1700 locatedin bot storage location 4715) and/or an inventory management server thatis updated with inventory level reports from the different remotebusiness facilities 4725 a-4725 d. Inventory hub location 4705 may alsotemporarily house and maintain multiple inventory items 4710 that havebeen ordered and that may be transported to different ones of remotebusiness facilities 4725 a. Such exemplary inventory items 4710 may bestored in one or more storage rooms at the hub location 4705, in awarehouse, on one or more shelving systems, in boxes, and the like.Exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies (such as assembly 1700), themodular components that may be assembled into one or more exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assemblies, as well as dispensing systems for thesame may be kept, maintained, repaired, charged, and otherwise locatedin parts of bot storage location 4715. Such exemplary MALVT botapparatus assemblies may be built on-demand (e.g., in response to adispatch request where server 4720 may operate as an assembly server) ormay be maintained in a ready configuration of assembly 1700 that may bequickly dispatched by server 4720 with one or more inventory items 4710.For example, once the MAM unit in exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700 has received an inventory dispatch command from server 4720,exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may receive the particularinventory item 4710 a and autonomously move from the inventory hublocation 4705 to distribute the inventory item 4710 a to one of theremote business locations, such as remote business facility 4725 a asshown in FIG. 47B.

As part of picking up or dropping off an inventory item, one or moreexemplary articulating arms 4325 may be deployed on exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly (or other object manipulation systems as described inmore detail above) to assist with getting the inventory item fromoutside the bot assembly to being placed within the payload area withinthe CSS 1720 of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. In someembodiments, the inventory items 4710 may be maintained at theirrespective location (e.g., at the inventory hub location 4705, at one ofthe remove business facilities 4725 a-d) on node-enabled shelvingsystems that further assist with managing where a particular inventoryitem may be stored on a shelving system as well as facilitating enhancedpickup from and delivery of such an inventory item to an appropriateplace on the node-enabled shelving system. FIG. 48A-48D are diagrams ofan exemplary modular autonomous logistics transport vehicle apparatus(MALVT bot apparatus 1700) interfacing and interacting with an exemplarynode-enabled shelving system 4800 to pickup/drop-off an inventory itemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG.48A, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 is shown approaching anexemplary node-enabled shelving system 4800 within an environment, forexample, of the inventory hub location 4705 where exemplary inventoryitems 4830 a-4830 f (e.g., part of inventory items 4710 that may havebeen ordered and shipped to the inventory hub location 4705) are kept.

In general, an exemplary embodiment of node-enabled shelving system 4800shown in FIGS. 48A-48D has a frame 4805 (e.g., stationary or mobile)with multiple shelves 4810 a-4810 c where lights 4820 a-4820 c aredisposed at the exposed edge of the respective shelves. The lights 4820a-4820 c may be activated by a shelf node 4815 (e.g., a master node orID node assembled with the frame or otherwise attached to the system4800). An embodiment of the shelf node 4815 communicates with at leastthe MAM 1725 within exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and, insome examples, may also communicate with server 4720 with inventoryrelated information. The shelf node 4815, in general, may operate tofacilitate inventory management with interactive instructions viaactivated lighting and/or wireless communications to MAM 1725 on itemplacement/retrieval to and from one of the shelving system's shelves. Insuch a general embodiment, the shelf node 4815 may interact with theautonomous control system 3100 within a MAM 1725 on exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 to receive identification information related toa particular inventory item or items to be picked up (or delivered) andthe shelf node 3815 may activate particular ones of the shelf edgelights 4820 a-4820 c to provide a visual indication of shelf locationfor the particular inventory item (e.g., a refined loading location)and/or where the articulated arm 4325 on exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 may be deployed to engage and move the particularinventory item. As shown in FIG. 48A, exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 may have arrived at the relevant location where theinventory item is maintained on the exemplary node-enabled shelvingsystem 4800. Exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may actuate itscargo door 1715 to open, and deploy its articulating arm 4325 and/orother object manipulation systems (e.g., as described above relative tostructure that may be deployed on APM 1710 and/or CSS 1720 as well asthe actuated/adjustable systems that can tilt/lift MB 1705 to facilitatesliding of an object from assembly 1700). In FIG. 48B, exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700 has notified shelf node 4815 on exemplarynode-enabled shelving system 4800 about the approaching pickup ofinventory item 4830 a, and has autonomously moved closer to exemplarynode-enabled shelving system 4800 to pick up inventory item 4830 a.Exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 detects light 4820 a, asactivated by shelf node 4815, and guides articulating arm 4325 towardsinventory item 4380 a on shelf 4810 a associated with activated light4820 a to allow articulating arm 4325, using sensors on exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, to engage inventory item 4830 a. As shownin FIG. 48C, articulating arm 4325 has engaged inventory item 4830 a andmoved it off shelf 4810 a in order to place item 4830 a within CSS 1720(e.g., via direct placement of the item within the payload area of CSS1720, via intermediate placement of the item on movable belt surfaces oncargo door 1715 or movable belt surfaces on the base adapter plate ofAPM 1710, or by intermediate placement that allows other objectmanipulation systems deployed as part of AMP 1710 and/or CSS 1720 tofurther move the item into the payload area of CSS 1720). In this way,the inventory item 4830 a is placed within the payload area of CSS 1720of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, as shown in FIG. 48D,articulated arm 4325 may be moved to a transit/storage position, andcargo door 1715 is actuated to close so that exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 may move to its destination location fordrop-off as indicated in the inventory dispatch command received by theautonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725 of exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while FIGS. 48A-48D showan example where an exemplary inventory item 4380 a is being picked upand placed within the CSS 1720 for transport within the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700 to another location (which may have asimilar node-enabled shelving system to receive the item), similarprinciples may be applied to an example where the exemplary item isbeing removed from within the CSS using object manipulation systemsdescribed herein (including articulating arm 4325) and placed on anidentified shelf (e.g., with guidance from an activated shelf light) ofan exemplary node-enabled shelving system 4800 or placed on aconventional shelving system that does not provide interactivecapability with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 toreceived pre-arrival notifications and responsively indicate where toplace the transported inventory item.

FIG. 49 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming an inventory management related dispatched logisticsoperation involving an inventory item using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch serverin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Such a method 4900may be used to deliver one or more inventory items (e.g., as a portionof an order received at the inventory hub location) to remote businessfacilities. In more detail, an embodiment of such a method 4900 may usean embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (asassembled or after an on-demand assembly) and a dispatch server (e.g.,server 4720). Exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly used(e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 4900 is equipped with at least amodular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary power module(e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g., exemplaryCSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what is transported withinthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, and a modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) with its autonomouscontroller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) that autonomouslycontrols operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700during method 4900.

Referring now to FIG. 49, exemplary method 4900 begins at step 4905 with(a) the modular mobile autonomy control module receiving an inventorydispatch command from the dispatch server. The dispatched inventoryoperation involves an inventory hub location (e.g., inventory hublocation 4705) and at least one of multiple remote business facilitiesexternal to the inventory hub location (e.g., remote business facilities4725 a-4725 d). In more detail, the received inventory dispatch commandin step (a) includes at least destination information and authenticationinformation related to the dispatched inventory operation for theinventory item. Additionally, the inventory dispatch command assigns theinventory item for transport to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly from the contents of an inventory order received at theinventory hub location (e.g., out of an order for inventory items thatare maintained at least as part of exemplary inventory items 4710 atinventory hub location 4705).

At step 4910, method 4900 proceeds with step (b) having the modularcargo storage system receiving the inventory item for transport at theinventory hub location.

At step 4915, method 4900 proceeds with step (c) with the modular mobileautonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobility baseto move from the inventory hub location on a route outside of theinventory hub location to one of the remote business facilities as adestination location identified by the destination information for thedispatched inventory operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 47B,exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 moves from the inventory hublocation 4705 to remote business facility 4725 a.

At step 4920, method 4900 proceeds with step (d) receiving deliveryrecipient authentication input by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule from a delivery recipient disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly and at the destination location. Ifthe delivery recipient providing such input is the authorized deliveryrecipient, the delivery recipient authentication input at leastcorrelates to a portion of the authentication information related to thedispatched inventory operation. Method 4900 then moves to step 4925,where step (e) has the modular cargo storage system providing selectiveaccess to the inventory item for transport within the modular cargostorage system after the delivery recipient authentication inputreceived at least correlates to the portion of the authenticationinformation indicating the delivery recipient providing the deliveryrecipient authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient.

At step 4930, method 4900 proceeds with step (f) having the modularmobile autonomy control module detecting removal of the inventory itemfor transport from within the modular cargo storage system. For example,this may involve using payload monitoring sensors on the MAM 1725 and/orsensors disposed on interior surfaces of the CSS 1720 and monitoring bythe autonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725 during the removalprocess at the destination location (e.g., remote business facility 4725a). Then, at step 4935, method 4900 proceeds with step (g) having themodular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the destination location (e.g., remotebusiness facility 4725 a) on a return route to the inventory hublocation after the inventory item for transport is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system.

Further embodiments of exemplary method 4900 may have the MAM in theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly determine if the components inthe assembly are compatible with the dispatched inventory operation. Forexample, a further embodiment of method 4900 may include the step ofauthenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that eachof the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem are compatible with the dispatched inventory operation prior toreceiving the inventory item for transport. As such, the modular cargostorage system compatible with the dispatched logistics operation may beone of different sized modular cargo storage systems, and where that oneis compatible with a size parameter for the inventory item for transportas part of the dispatched inventory operation. Similarly, the modularmobile autonomy control module compatible with the dispatched logisticsoperation may be one of different sized modular mobile autonomy controlmodules, and where that one is compatible with the one of the differentsized modular cargo storage systems compatible with the size parameterfor the inventory item for transport as part of the dispatched inventoryoperation.

Further embodiments of method 4900 may also involve returning to anassembly area (e.g., a bot storage location) at the inventor hublocation to change out one of the components as a result of theauthentication task related to compatibility with the dispatchedinventory operation. For example, method 4900 may also include the stepof autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,the mobility base to move to an assembly area at the inventory hublocation when one of the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, or themodular cargo storage system are found to be not compatible with thedispatched inventory operation during the authenticating step. In afurther example, method 4900 may also have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module transmitting a replacement request to the dispatch server(e.g. server 4720), which causes the dispatch server to assign anothermodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly to the dispatched inventoryoperation to operate in place of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly. Alternatively, method 4900 may have the modular mobileautonomy control module transmitting a module replacement request to thedispatch server. Such a module replacement request instructs thedispatch server to cause the particular one of the modular mobileautonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, or the modular cargo storage system found to benot compatible with the dispatched inventory operation to be replaced.

Further embodiments of method 4900 may have the inventory orderincluding the inventory item and additional inventory items for others.For example, in method 4900, the contents of the inventory orderreceived at the inventory hub location may include the inventory itemfor transport involved with this particular dispatched inventoryoperation and other additional inventory items to be supplied to othersof the remote business facilities. In more detail, the inventory item oritems transported on the bot assembly as part of method 4900 may be arestocking supply of retail item(s) sold at that remote businessfacility (e.g., remote business facility 4725 a where item 4710 a wasdropped off). In other examples, the inventory item 4710 a removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system at the destination location(e.g., remote business facility 4725 a) may be dropped off as arebalancing supply of one or more retail items sold at that remotebusiness facility compared to a current inventory maintained in theremote business facilities (e.g., remote business facilities 4725 b-4725d) and the inventory hub location.

Still further embodiments of method 4900 may have the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly involved in further dispatched operations beforereturning to the inventory hub location. For example, the step (g) ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the destination location on thereturn route to the inventory hub location after the inventory item fortransport is detected to be removed from within the modular cargostorage system may have method 4900 having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module first autonomously causing the modular mobility base tohold at the destination location and wait for a subsequent inventorydispatch command from the dispatch server and related to a subsequentdispatched inventory operation involving the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly; and then having the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule autonomously causing the modular mobility base to return to theinventory hub location after the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly completes the subsequent dispatched inventory operation.

As part of step (d) of method 4900 and as taught above in otherembodiments, delivery recipient authentication input may be received byan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly in a variety of ways. Forexample, as part of method 4900, the delivery recipient authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module may beprovided by the delivery recipient through a user input panel disposedon the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., with an access code provided by thedelivery recipient through the user input panel, with biometric inputprovided by the delivery recipient through the user input panel or othersensors on the bot apparatus, and the like). The delivery recipientauthentication input may also be received by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module as provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly (e.g., where the node is running an app that interfaces withthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly). Such wireless deliveryrecipient authentication input received by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module may be an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node, or a biometric input provided by thedelivery recipient through the external wireless node.

In more detail in an example where the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched inventory operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item as part of thedispatched inventory operation, an embodiment of method 4900 may havestep (d) of receiving the delivery recipient authentication inputinvolving the modular mobile autonomy control module detecting anadvertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication input froman external wireless node within a predetermined range of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the destination location identified bythe destination information; and then having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module authenticating that the external wireless node isassociated with the authorized delivery recipient for the item beingshipped within the modular cargo storage system based upon theidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient and identifierinformation within the detected advertising signal broadcast from theexternal wireless node.

In a similar example where the authentication information related to thedispatched inventory operation includes an identifier of the authorizeddelivery recipient for the inventory item as part of the dispatchedinventory operation, another embodiment of method 4900 may have step (d)of receiving the delivery recipient authentication input having themodular mobile autonomy control module detecting an unpromptedadvertising signal from an external wireless node within a predeterminedrange of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at the destinationlocation identified by the destination information; and thenestablishing a secure association between the external node and themodular mobile autonomy control module after detecting the unpromptedadvertising signal from the external wireless node. The secureassociation between the external node and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module allows secure sharing of information between the externalnode and the modular mobile autonomy control module and beingpre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to the dispatchedinventory operation.

Still another further embodiment of method 4900 may involve deliveringsmaller parts of a large inventory order with multiple exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assemblies from the inventory hub location to differentremote business facilities. For example, an embodiment of method 4900may have the inventory item being a portion from multiple inventoryorder items in a received inventory order. As such, method 4900 mayfurther involve repeating steps (a)-(g) for the remaining portions fromthe inventory order items in the received inventory order usingadditional modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblies to concurrentlytransport each of the remaining portions from the inventory order itemsin the received inventory order from the inventory hub location torespective others of the remote business facilities.

As described in more detail above, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly used in method 4900 may move to the destination location whilewirelessly interacting with nodes that control pathway obstacles (e.g.,actuated doors, elevators, locks, and the like). For example, method4900 step (c) of autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the inventory hub location to the destination location may beaccomplished by having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously cause the modular mobility base to move from the inventoryhub location to the destination location while interacting with awireless building facility node to actuate a pathway obstacle disposedin a path on the route to the destination location. Such a pathwayobstacle may, for example, include an actuated door controlled by thewireless building facility node; an actuated elevator controlled by thewireless building facility node; or an actuated lock controlled by thewireless building facility node. In more detail, when interacting withthe wireless building facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle,method 4900 may have the modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g.,the autonomous control system 3100, which may be implemented with amobile master node) establishing an authorized association pairingbetween the modular mobile autonomy control module and the wirelessbuilding facility node based upon the authentication information relatedto the dispatched logistics operation; and causing the wireless buildingfacility node to actuate the pathway obstacle after establishing theauthorized association pairing between the modular mobile autonomycontrol module and the wireless building facility node.

In other embodiments of method 4900, moving the bot apparatus assemblymay involve manually interacting with various pathway obstacles. Forexample, an embodiment of method 4900 may have step (c) of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the inventory hublocation to the destination location being implemented with the modularmobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to move from the inventory hub location to the destination locationwhile engaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedestination location using an articulating arm disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly (e.g., arm 4325) and using sensorsdisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module. In such an example, the pathway obstaclemay, for example, be a manually actuated door, a manually actuatedelevator, or a manually actuated lock. Furthermore, in such an example,engaging the pathway obstacle using the articulating arm and sensors mayhave the modular mobile autonomy control module guiding the articulatingarm to a control element of the pathway obstacle (e.g., a handle for thepathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch for thepathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle, and the like) using one or more of the sensors disposed on atleast one of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module; and actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, once the articulating arm engages thecontrol element of the pathway obstacle.

A further embodiment of method 4900 may implement step (b) involvingreceiving the inventory item with different ways to load the item asdescribed above using actuated structure deployed on the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly, such as the actuated door (e.g., via theactuated joint on the cargo door), the actuated electro-mechanical lockon the actuated cargo door, the actuated sliding arm, the actuatedgrabbing arm, actuated belt surfaces).

In like manner, a further embodiment of method 4900 may implement step(e) that provides access to within the modular cargo storage system andpermits removal of the inventory item with different ways to unload theitem as described above using actuated structure deployed on theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly, such as the actuated door (e.g.,via the actuated joint on the cargo door), the actuatedelectro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargo door, the actuated slidingarm, the actuated grabbing arm, actuated belt surfaces).

And as described with reference to FIGS. 48A-48D, further embodiments ofmethod 4900 interface with a node-enabled shelving system (e.g., system4800) when loading a received inventory item as part of step (b) andwhen unloading the inventory item once access is provided in step (e).In such embodiments, the inventory dispatch command may include ashelving system identifier corresponding to a node-enabled shelvingsystem at the relevant pickup and/or drop-off location. In more detail,a further embodiment of method 4900 may receive the inventory item withthe modular mobile autonomy control module notifying the node-enabledshelving system of an approaching pickup of the inventory item;autonomously causing the modular mobility base to move to thenode-enabled shelving system as an intermediate loading location at theinventory hub location; detecting (using a vision sensor disposed on themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly) an activated light element onthe node-enabled shelving system proximate to the inventory item asmaintained on the node-enabled shelving system, where the light elementwas activated in response to the modular mobile autonomy control modulenotifying the node-enabled shelving system of the approaching pickup ofthe inventory item; autonomously causing the modular mobility base tomove to the detected activated light element on the node-enabledshelving system as a refined intermediate loading location at the firstof the remote business facilities; receiving pickup authentication inputby the modular mobile autonomy control module from the node-enabledshelving system at the intermediate loading location; having the modularcargo storage system providing selective access to within the modularcargo storage system when the pickup authentication input receivedcorrelates to the shelving system identifier from the inventory dispatchcommand; and having the modular cargo storage system receiving theinventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving system atthe intermediate loading location. In such an example, the inventoryitem may be received by deploying an articulating arm disposed on themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using at least the visionsensor and a proximity senor disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to engagethe inventory item as maintained on the node-enabled shelving system andplace the inventory item within the modular cargo storage system. Inmore detail within such an example, the inventory item may be receivedwith the modular mobile autonomy control module guiding the articulatingarm to the inventory item on the node-enabled shelving system using atleast the vision sensor and a proximity senor disposed on at least oneof the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule; engaging the inventory item with the articulating arm; andmoving, by the articulating arm, the inventory item to a position withinthe modular cargo storage system.

In an example involving delivery of the inventory item into/onto anode-enabled shelving system where the inventory dispatch commandincludes a shelving system identifier corresponding to a node-enabledshelving system at the destination location, an embodiment of method4900 may have steps (d) and (e) being implemented with the modularmobile autonomy control module notifying the node-enabled shelvingsystem at the destination location of an approaching delivery of theinventory item; autonomously causing the modular mobility base to moveto the node-enabled shelving system at the destination location as anintermediate unloading location at the one of the remote businessfacilities; detecting (using a vision sensor disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly) an activated light element on thenode-enabled shelving system proximate to the inventory item asmaintained on the node-enabled shelving system, wherein the lightelement was activated in response to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule notifying the node-enabled shelving system of the approachingdelivery of the inventory item; autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move to the detected activated light element on thenode-enabled shelving system as a refined intermediate loading locationat the first of the remote business facilities; receiving deliveryauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module fromthe node-enabled shelving system at the intermediate loading location;and providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access towithin the modular cargo storage system when the delivery authenticationinput received correlates to the shelving system identifier from theinventory dispatch command.

In such an example, method 4900 may have step (f) deploying anarticulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly and using at least the vision sensor and a proximity senordisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module to engage the inventory item asmaintained within the modulator cargo storage system and place theinventory item on the node-enabled shelving system. This may involveengaging, by the articulating arm, the inventory item within the modularcargo storage system; and moving, by the articulating arm, the inventoryitem from within the modular cargo storage system to a position withinthe modular cargo storage system.

While the embodiments above described relative to FIG. 49 and exemplarymethod 4900 involve providing an inventory item from an inventory hublocation (such as location 4705) to one of the remote retail businessfacilities as part of inventory management, a further embodiment maydeploy an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly to move inventory itemsbetween different remote business facilities. FIGS. 50A-50B are parts ofa flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary method forperforming an inventory management related dispatched logisticsoperation between remote business facilities involving an inventory itemor items and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVTbot apparatus assembly) and an inventory management server in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. Such a method 5000 may be used totransfer one or more inventory items between remote business facilitiesas part of a dispatch inventory balancing operation as the logisticsoperation. In more detail, an embodiment of such a method 5000 may usean embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (asassembled or after an on-demand assembly) and a dispatch server (e.g.,server 4205, 4720). Exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyused (e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 5000 is equipped with atleast a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary powermodule (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g.,exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what istransported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, anda modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) withits autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) thatautonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 during method 5000.

Referring now to FIG. 50A, exemplary method 5000 begins at step S005where the inventory management server is detecting an inventoryimbalance between a first of the remote business facilities and a secondof the remote business facilities based upon updated inventoriesreported from each of the first of the remote business facilities andthe second of the remote business facilities. For example, server 4720(operating as an inventory management server) shown in FIG. 47A maydetect such an inventory imbalance based upon reports sent from remotebusiness facility 4725 a and 4725 b.

At step S010, method 5000 has the inventory management servertransmitting an inventory dispatch command to the modular mobileautonomy control module of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly(e.g., assembly 1700 at bot storage location 4715), where the inventorydispatch command is related to the dispatched inventory balancingoperation between the first of the remote business facilities and thesecond of the remote business facilities.

At step S015, method 5000 has the modular mobile autonomy control modulereceiving the inventory dispatch command from the inventory managementserver. In more detail, the inventory dispatch command includes at leastdestination information on an intermediate loading location at the firstof the remote business facilities and a drop-off location at the secondof the remote business facilities. Such an inventory dispatch commandfurther includes authentication information related to the dispatchedinventory balancing operation for the inventory item for transport.

At step S020, method 5000 proceeds with autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the bot storage location (e.g., location 4715) to theintermediate loading location at the first of the remote businessfacilities (e.g., remote business facility 4725 a) where the inventoryitem may be picked up.

At step S025, method 5000 proceeds with receiving pickup authenticationinput by the modular mobile autonomy control module from a pickup entitydisposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly andat the intermediate loading location. When the pickup authenticationinput at least correlates to a first portion of the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched inventory balancing operation, theinput indicates the pickup entity that provided the pickupauthentication input is an authorized inventory item supplier for theinventory item to be transported within the module cargo storage system.

At step S030, method 5000 has the modular cargo storage system providingselective access to within the modular cargo storage system after thepickup authentication input received correlates to the first portion ofthe authentication information and then, at step S035, receiving theinventory item for transport at the intermediate loading location.Thereafter, at step S040, method 5000 has the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the intermediate loading location to the drop-off location at thesecond of the remote business facilities.

At step S045 as shown on FIG. 50B (which continues method 500), theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly with the inventory item is at thesecond remote business facility for drop-off, and method 5000 proceedsby receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modularmobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and at thedrop-off location. When the delivery recipient authentication input atleast correlates to a portion of the authentication information relatedto the dispatched inventory balancing operation, the input indicates thedelivery recipient that provided the delivery recipient authenticationinput is an authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item fortransport within the module cargo storage system.

At step S050, method 5000 proceeds with providing, by the modular cargostorage system, selective access to the inventory item for transportwithin the modular cargo storage system after the delivery recipientauthentication input received correlates to the portion of theauthentication information indicating the delivery recipient providingthe delivery recipient authentication input is the authorized deliveryrecipient.

At step S055, method 5000 proceeds with detecting, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, removal of the inventory item for transportfrom within the modular cargo storage system (using sensors as describedin embodiments above), and then at step S060, method 5000 then has themodular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the drop-off location on a return route tothe bot storage location after the inventory item for transport isdetected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system. Insome embodiments, step S060 may be implemented by having the modularmobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to hold at the drop-off location in a ready for dispatch mode wherethe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly waits for a subsequentinventory dispatch command from the dispatch server where such a commandis related to a subsequent dispatched inventory operation involving themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and then has the modularmobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to return to the inventory hub location after the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly completes the subsequent dispatchedinventory operation.

Further embodiments of method 5000 may involve the further step ofauthentication whether the modular components of the dispatchedexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly is compatible with the particulardispatched inventory operation similar to that described with furtherembodiments of method 4900. This may involve making sure different sizedmodular components are the appropriate sized modular components for thedispatched inventory operation, and may involve returning to an assemblyarea at the bot storage location (e.g., location 4715 at the inventoryhub location 4705) to change out one or more of the incompatible modularcomponents (e.g., replace a CSS component with one of a different size,replace sensor pods on one or more of the modular components, and thelike).

Further embodiments of method 5000 may involve details on authenticatingdelivery at the second remote business facility similar to thatdescribed above with further detailed embodiments of method 4900. Forexample, such delivery recipient authentication input may be receivedthrough a user input panel on the bot apparatus (e.g., with accesscodes, biometric input, audio input, and the like) and through wirelesscommunications with an external wireless node operated locally at thesecond remote business facility where delivery recipient authenticationinput may be received wirelessly.

In like manner, further embodiments of method 5000 may involve detailson navigating and moving to the intermediate loading location at thefirst remote business facility similar to that described above withfurther detailed embodiments of method 4900 where such moving actions bythe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly may involve wirelessinteracting with building facility nodes to actuate pathway obstacles(e.g., doors, elevators, and the like), which may involve establishingauthorized association pairings between the modular mobile autonomycontrol module and the wireless building facility node based upon theauthentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation, and causing the wireless building facility node to actuatethe pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized associationpairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and thewireless building facility node. In other examples, this may involvemoving to the intermediate loading location while manually interactingwith pathway obstacles on the way using, for example, an articulatingarm (such as arm 4325) to manipulate obstacles such as a manuallyactuated door, elevator, lock, door handle, and the like.

Further embodiments of method 5000 may involve details on receiving andloading the inventory item at the first remote business facility similarto that described above with further detailed embodiments of method 4900using actuated devices and articulating object manipulation systems.Likewise, further embodiments of method 5000 may involve details onproviding access to the loaded inventory item and unloading at thesecond remote business facility similar to that described above withfurther detailed embodiments of method 4900 using actuated devices andarticulating object manipulation systems.

Additional embodiments of method 5000 may further involve details oninterfacing with and interacting with exemplary node-enabled shelvingsystems (e.g., system 4800) at the first and second remote businessfacilities as part of receiving the inventory item for pickup andproviding access to the inventory item for drop-off similar to thatdescribed above with further detailed embodiments of method 4900 usingactuated devices and articulating object manipulation systems.

Store-to-Consumer Dispatched Operations

Further embodiments of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700may be deployed in particular dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperations where the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 beingdispatched operates to perform various types of enhanced orderfulfillment tasks with one or more ordered item being responsivelydelivered. FIG. 51 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplarymethod 5100 for dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation relatedto an ordered item and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. An embodiment of such a method 5100 mayuse an embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (asassembled or after an on-demand assembly) and a dispatch server (e.g.,server 4205, 4720). Exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyused (e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 5100 is equipped with atleast a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary powermodule (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g.,exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what istransported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, anda modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) withits autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) thatautonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 during method 5100.

Referring now to FIG. 51, exemplary method 5100 begins at step S105 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a dispatch commandfrom the dispatch server. In step S105, the dispatch command comprisingat least identifier information on the ordered item, transportparameters on the ordered item, destination delivery information relatedto delivery of the ordered item, and delivery authentication informationrelated to an authorized delivery recipient of the ordered item. In amore detailed embodiment and implementation of step S105, the dispatchcommand received from the dispatch server may be a delivery orderassignment message from a retail system that received a transactionorder for the ordered item. As such, the retail server system thatreceives and processes transaction orders for customers, may have one ormore parts of the retail system operate as the dispatch server (e.g.,server 4205) that responsively interacts with the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly (e.g., the autonomous control system 3100 withinexemplary MAM 1725 of bot assembly 1700).

At step S110, method 5100 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleverifying that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation based upon the dispatch command.Verification at step S110 may involve authenticating that the differentmodular components of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblyinvolved in this dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation isboth capable of performing the operation and/or is authorized to be usedin such an operation (e.g., due to logistical constraints inherent inthe operation, and the like).

Thereafter, at step S115, method 5100 has the modular cargo storagesystem receiving the ordered item in a payload area within the modularcargo storage system. Embodiments of method 5100 may implement step S115using actuated components and object manipulation systems deployedonboard the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus system as part of loading theordered item into the modular cargo storage system. For example, anembodiment of method 5100 may have the MAM 1725 actuating an actuatedcargo door (e.g., door 1715) disposed on the modular auxiliary powermodule (or the CSS 1720) to an open position, where the actuated cargodoor provides a seal to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in a closed position andthe actuated cargo door provides access to the payload area within themodular cargo storage system when the actuated cargo door is in the openposition. Actuating the cargo door may involve, for example, actuatingan actuated joint (e.g., joint 2020) on the actuated cargo door to causethe actuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition and, or actuating an electro-mechanical lock (e.g., lock 2025)on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargo door to unlockbefore moving from the closed position to the open position. Furtherembodiments of method 5100 may have step S115 actuating an actuatedsliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system (or APM) tomove the ordered item into the payload area within the modular cargostorage system and/or actuating an actuated grabbing arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system (or APM) to grab and move the ordered iteminto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system as part ofreceiving the ordered item. Likewise, further embodiments of method 5100may implement step S115 by actuating an actuated belt surface disposedon the modular auxiliary power module 1710 and/or door 1715 as a movablesupport surface exposed within the payload area that causes the ordereditem, as placed on the actuated belt surface, to move within the payloadarea as part of receiving the ordered item.

Once the ordered item has been received within the modular cargo storagesystem of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly used in thisoperation, method 5100 continues at step S120 with the modular mobileautonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobility baseto move from an origin location on a route to a destination locationidentified by the destination delivery information.

While in transit to the destination location, method 5100 has themodular mobile autonomy control module notifying the authorized deliveryrecipient of the ordered item of an approaching delivery once themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the destination location as part of step S125.Such a threshold notification range may, for example, involve a specificdistance from the destination location according to location coordinatesgenerated by the MAM 1725. In other embodiments, such a thresholdnotification range may be keyed to passing a particular location on theroute to the destination location (e.g., an actuated front door for abuilding, and the like). In further embodiments, this may be repeated atdifferent notification range distances from the destination location soas to provide different notifications to the delivery recipient as theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly with the ordered item continuesto approach the destination location for delivery of the ordered item.

In more detail, step S125 may have the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule notifying the authorized delivery recipient of the ordered itemof an approaching delivery with a transmitted arrival estimate at thedestination location. Further implementations of step S125 may have theMAM 1725 generating a display alert for the authorized deliveryrecipient on a display on the MAM once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within the threshold notification range of thedestination location as part of the notification in step S125.Additional embodiments may implement such pre-delivery notifications by,for example, generating an audio notification for the authorizeddelivery recipient on a speaker on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule; transmitting a delivery notification message to an externalwireless node (e.g., an external wireless node related to a designatedwireless user identified in the dispatch command, which may be a thirdparty or the authorized delivery recipient).

At step S130, method 5100 proceeds with receiving delivery recipientauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly at the destination location.

At step S135, method 5100 has the modular cargo storage system providingselective access to the ordered item within the modular cargo storagesystem only when the delivery recipient authentication input receivedcorrelates to the delivery authentication information indicating thatthe delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient authenticationinput is the authorized delivery recipient. In more detailed embodimentsof method 5100, step S135 may involve specific actions taken by theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly used in method 5100 to unload theordered item using actuated parts of the bot apparatus and exemplaryobject manipulation systems used as part of the exemplary bot apparatusinvolved in method 5100 similar to those used to load the ordered item.For example, step S135 may have the MAM of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly used in method 5100 actuating an actuated cargo doordisposed on the modular auxiliary power module (or CSS) to an openposition once the delivery recipient authentication input correlates toa portion of the authentication information related to the dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation. Such an actuated cargo door(e.g., door 1715) may be actuated via the actuated joint 2020 notedabove, which may cause the actuated cargo door 1715 to move from theclosed position to the open position. Similarly, the actuated cargo door(e.g., door 1715) may be actuated via an electro-mechanical lock on theactuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock beforemoving from the closed position to the open position. And consistentwith the loading description above relative to step S115, an actuatedsliding arm, grabbing arm, and/or actuated belt surface may be movedunder control of the MAM as part of unloading the ordered item fromwithin the CSS.

At step S140, method 5100 has the modular mobile autonomy control modulemonitoring unloading of the ordered item from within the modular cargostorage system using one or more sensors on at least one of the modularmobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo storage system.This may also involve generating a log entry in a custodial inventorydata structure stored on, for example, the modular mobile autonomycontrol module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) when the ordered item isdetected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system,where the log entry indicates and reflects the removal of the ordereditem from within the modular cargo storage system. In more detail, anembodiment of step S140 may be implemented in an embodiment of method5100 by capturing sensor data from the payload monitoring sensors on theMAM and/or CSS, and detecting when the ordered item is removed fromwithin the CSS based upon the captured sensor data, which may beprocessed to transform the raw sensor data into usable data (e.g., adetected image of the ordered item using visual images of what isdisposed within the modular cargo storage system).

Further examples of step S140 may involve different types of sensors andprocessing of the sensor data generated by such sensors. For example,monitoring unloading of the ordered item in step S140 may beaccomplished by generating barcode scan data related to ordered item asthe ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storage systemusing a barcode scanner as one of the sensors, and processing thegenerated barcode scan data to monitor the ordered item as the ordereditem is removed from within the modular cargo storage system. In anotherexample, monitoring unloading of the ordered item in step S140 may beaccomplished by detecting advertising data related to a node with theordered item as the ordered item is removed from within the modularcargo storage system, and processing the generated advertising data tomonitor the location of the node with the ordered item as the ordereditem is removed from within the modular cargo storage system. In stillanother example, monitoring unloading of the ordered item in step S140may be accomplished by generating image data related to the ordered itemas the ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem using a camera as one of the sensors, and processing thegenerated image data to monitor the ordered item as the ordered item isremoved from within the modular cargo storage system. In still anotherexample, monitoring unloading of the ordered item in step S140 may beaccomplished by generating video data related to ordered item as theordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storage systemusing a video camera as one of the one or more sensors, and processingthe generated video data as a type of vision system that monitors theordered item as the ordered item is removed from within the modularcargo storage system. In yet another example, monitoring unloading ofthe ordered item in step S140 may be accomplished by capturing audiodata using a microphone disposed on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly as one of the sensors disposed to record sound within andproximate to the modular cargo storage system as the ordered item isremoved from within the modular cargo storage system, and thenprocessing the captured audio data to monitor the ordered item as theordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storage system.

Further examples may have monitoring unloading of the ordered item instep S140 be implemented by detecting movement of a wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item as the ordered item is removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system based upon a signals broadcastfrom the wireless node associated with the ordered item. Node locatingtechniques disclosed herein, for example, may be used to track thelocation of a node-enabled ordered item and, thus, allow for monitoringof the ordered item to know when it has been removed from the modularcargo storage system (e.g., when the changed location of thenode-enabled ordered item indicates the ordered item is now outside themodular cargo storage system as determined by the modular mobileautonomous control module).

At step S145, method 5100 concludes with having the modular mobileautonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobility baseto move from the destination location on a return route to the originlocation after the ordered item is detected to be removed from withinthe modular cargo storage system based upon monitoring the unloading ofthe ordered item.

More detailed embodiments of method 5100 may involve receiving andloading the ordered item after supplier authentication input has beenreceived, and selective access to the modular cargo storage system isthen permitted (e.g., via actuated and/or articulating systems onboardthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly). In such an exemplaryfurther embodiment, the dispatch command in method 5100 may also includesupplier authentication information related to an authorized supplier ofthe ordered item. As such, step S115 of receiving the ordered item maybe implemented with receiving supplier authentication input by themodular mobile autonomy control module from a loading entity disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the originlocation. The modular cargo storage system (as controlled by MAM 1725)may then provide selective access to within the modular cargo storagesystem only when the supplier authentication input received correlatesto the supplier authentication information indicating that the loadingentity providing the supplier authentication input is the authorizedsupplier of the ordered item.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that embodiments ofmethod 5100 may have the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly used inmethod 5100 navigating and interacting with different pathway obstacleswhen moving from the origin location to the destination location. Forexample, step S120 of autonomously causing the modular mobility base tomove from the origin location to the destination location may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the origin location tothe destination location while interacting with a wireless buildingfacility node to actuate a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on theroute to the destination location (e.g., an actuated door controlled bythe wireless building facility node, an actuated elevator controlled bythe wireless building facility node, an actuated lock controlled by thewireless building facility node, and the like). In more detail, suchinteractions with the wireless building facility node to actuate thepathway obstacle may involve establishing an authorized associationpairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and thewireless building facility node based upon the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation (e.g., a tracked an authorized logically persistent pairing asreflected by locally generated association data on the MAM), and causingthe wireless building facility node to actuate the pathway obstacleafter establishing the authorized association pairing.

In further embodiments where pathway obstacles may not be controlled oractuated wirelessly, embodiments of method 5100 may have moving from theorigin location to the destination location involve manual interactionsby the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly and such pathwayobstacles. For example, step S120 of autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the origin location to the destinationlocation may have the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the originlocation to the destination location while engaging a pathway obstacledisposed in a path on the route to the destination location using anarticulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly and using sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module. Suchmanually manipulated pathway obstacles may include, for example, amanually actuated door, a manually actuated elevator, a manuallyactuated lock, or a manually actuated control panel for the pathwayobstacle. In more detail, engaging the pathway obstacle using thearticulating arm and sensors may involve, for example, guiding, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the articulating arm to acontrol element of the pathway obstacle using one or more of thesensors; and actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, once the articulating arm engages the controlelement of the pathway obstacle. Such a pathway obstacle control elementmay, for example, be a handle for the pathway obstacle, a button for thepathway obstacle, a switch for the pathway obstacle, or a portion of acontrol panel for the pathway obstacle.

In further detailed embodiments of method 5100, the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule as part of step S130 may be provided by the delivery recipientthrough a user input panel (e.g., panel 2220) disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule. Such a user input panel may be deployed on any of the modularcomponents of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, and may receive inputvia manual engagement of buttons or switches on the user input panel(e.g., for access codes or other manual input) or may receive inputwithout touching the panel (e.g., with a sensor and processing systemimplemented on the MAM that can recognize biometric input, gestures,voice commands, and the like as authentication input which may match orat least correlate to authentication information for the particularlogistics operation for the ordered item).

In other embodiments of method 5100, the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule in step S130 may be provided by the delivery recipient through anexternal wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, such as with an access code and/or biometric inputprovided through an app running on the external wireless node.

In still other embodiments of method 5100, the delivery authenticationinformation for the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation mayinclude an identifier of the authorized delivery recipient for theordered item as part of the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation, and the delivery recipient authentication input received bythe modular mobile autonomy control module in step S130 may accomplishedwith the modular mobile autonomy control module detecting an advertisingsignal as the delivery recipient authentication input from an externalwireless node within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyhas arrived at the destination location identified by the destinationinformation. Thereafter, the modular mobile autonomy control module mayauthenticate that the external wireless node is associated with theauthorized delivery recipient for the ordered item based upon theidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient and identifierinformation within the detected advertising signal broadcast from theexternal wireless node. For authentication input received from anexternal wireless node, step S130 may also be implemented with themodular mobile autonomy control module detecting an unpromptedadvertising signal from such an external wireless node within apredetermined range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(i.e., without the assembly first interrogating the external wirelessnode) once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived atthe destination location identified by the destination information. Oncesuch an unprompted advertising signal is detected by the modular mobileautonomy control module, method step S130 may involve establishing asecure association between the external node and the modular mobileautonomy control module where such a secure association between theexternal node and the modular mobile autonomy control module may involvegenerating association data identifying the logical, persistentconnection between the external node and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, and allows secure sharing of information between theexternal node and the modular mobile autonomy control module as beingpre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to this particulardispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation.

Further embodiments of method 5100 may also involve implementing chainof custody tracking features. For example, an embodiment of method 5100may also include the step of generating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, a first inventory data structure maintained withinmemory of the control module (e.g., memory within autonomous controlsystem 3100 in exemplary MAM 1725). Such an inventory data structurecorresponds to the ordered item upon receiving the ordered item, wherethe first inventory data structure then includes chain of custodyentries, such as an entry reflecting departure from the origin locationfor the ordered item while in the custody of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, another entry generated after arrival at thedestination location and reflecting arrival from the destinationlocation for delivery of the ordered item from the custody of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and/or another chain ofcustody entry generated after arrival at the destination location andafter detecting the ordered item has been removed from within themodular cargo storage system reflecting the ordered item changingcustody to the authorized delivery recipient from the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly.

In still a further embodiment of method 5100, the weight of what is tobe transported as the ordered item or items may be considered andvalidated as prior to embarking on the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation involving the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblyor as part of the operation. For example, step S105 of receiving thedispatch command of method 5100 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receiving a pre-screened dispatch command from thedispatch server. This pre-screened dispatch command indicates that thedispatch server has verified the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation is an autonomous delivery eligible logistics operationaccording to a weight of the ordered item or items, and the pre-screeneddispatch command has at least identifier information on the ordereditem, transport parameters on the ordered item, destination deliveryinformation related to delivery of the ordered item, and deliveryauthentication information related to an authorized delivery recipientof the ordered item.

In another example, such weight information may be considered whenverifying in step S110. For example, the transport parameters on theordered item may include at least weight information about the ordereditem to be transported within the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, and step S110 may be implemented with the modular mobileautonomy control module verifying that each of the modular mobileautonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system arecompatible with weight information about the ordered item. This may, forexample, involve veifying that the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly has a transport capacity that is compatible with the weightinformation about the ordered item.

In another example, the dispatch command received in step S105 may havea delivery schedule for what is to be delivered from contents of themodular cargo storage system, and the transport parameters on theordered item included with the dispatch command may include at leastweight information about the ordered item to be transported within themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. As such, step S110 may beimplemented by the modular mobile autonomy control module verifying thatthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has a transport capacitythat is compatible with the weight information about the ordered item;and verifying that the delivery schedule is compatible with the weightinformation about the ordered item.

In more detail, an exemplary delivery schedule may have at least onepickup logistics operation to be performed as part of the dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation, wherein the at least one pickuplogistics operation anticipated to add an additional item havingadditional weight in the payload area with the ordered item.

Store to Home Use Cases—Pharmacy

In another store-to-consumer embodiment, an exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly (such as exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700)may be involved with prescription and/or other in-store retail purchasedeliveries to a home/business/mobile location. In general in such anembodiment, an exemplary order may be fulfilled by pharmacist or retailspecialist, and then the address and recipient information may betransferred from the relevant pharmacy/retail sales system to exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus dispatch software running on the same or on adedicated dispatch server system (e.g., dispatch server 4205). Deliveryparameters (e.g., day, desired time, recipient cell number or phonenumber, special instructions, etc.) may be gathered from the purchaserand selected by pharmacy/retail technician for input into the relevantpharmacy/retail sales system. Upon transfer to the dispatch system, oneor more exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be assigned and prepped forthe purchase delivery. The dispatch system may provide a “drop dead”load time to the relevant purchase technician (e.g., pharmacy technicianor retail specialist handling the transaction) and provides alertrelated to the delivery. The relevant purchase technician may then loadthe assigned exemplary MALVT bot apparatus no later than the drop deadtime. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus travels to the designatedshipping location (e.g., the address of the recipient) leveraging GPS,mapping or TRON locating techniques, and alerts the recipient prior toarrival (e.g., via text or automated call providing authenticationparameters (code, biometrics on users phone, TRON, etc.) & estimatedtime of arrival). The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus arrives and therecipient may then authenticate delivery via an app operating on therecipient's user access device, via TRON node interactions forassociation-based authenticated delivery, or via interaction with thedisplay screen on the MAM component. The recipient may then retrieve thedelivery from the CSS of the dispatched exemplary MALVT bot apparatus.As the recipient unloads the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus may monitor unloading and ensure that allcontents have been removed, and then the bot apparatus may return to thepharmacy/retail location. Enhanced security, recorded transactionrecords (e.g., automatic video/audio recorded loading/unloading), andmulti-factor authentication (e.g., two factor/biometric) may be requiredgiven the chain of custody needs.

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 5100 wherethe ordered item is a pharmaceutical item, step S115 of receiving theordered item in the payload area within the modular cargo storage systemmay be implemented by receiving, by the modular cargo storage system,the pharmaceutical item as part of a pharmaceutical transaction betweena pharmacy and the authorized delivery recipient of the pharmaceuticalitem. In such a further embodiment of method 5100, the destinationdelivery information related to the delivery of the orderedpharmaceutical item may include a requested time of day and/or requestedday of the week for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly toarrive at the destination location for the delivery of the ordered itemto the authorized delivery recipient. The destination deliveryinformation related to the delivery of the ordered item may also includecontact information for the authorized delivery recipient to use whennotifying the authorized delivery recipient, and/or a special deliveryinstructions for delivery of the ordered item.

Related to such a pharmaceutical delivery embodiment where an authorizedsupplier of the ordered pharmaceutical item provides supplierauthentication input during the loading process, step S115 of method5100 may have, prior to receiving the supplier authentication input, thedispatch server notifying a loading entity of a load time deadline forplacing the ordered item within the modular cargo storage system as partof the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation for the orderedpharmaceutical item.

In still further pharmaceutical delivery embodiments of method 5100,multi-factor authentication may be implemented as part of receivingsupplier/delivery recipient authentication input. For example, anembodiment of step S130 of method 5100 may be implemented by receivingthe delivery recipient authentication input comprises receivingmultiple-factor delivery recipient authentication input from thedelivery recipient, and wherein the delivery authentication informationincluding multiple-factor authentication input answers that whencollectively correlating to the multiple-factor delivery recipientauthentication input from the delivery recipient indicates the deliveryrecipient is the authorized delivery recipient.

Store to Home Use Cases—Retail

In another store-to-consumer type of embodiment, a retailer businessentity or establishment (e.g., Nordstrom, Best Buy, and Walmart) mayprovide a local delivery fulfilled from local stores. Customer service &inventory management may be enhanced and improved by, for example,decreased floor space needed for order pick up in an embodiment using anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly (such as exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700). In general, an exemplary customer of theretailer may order one or more items and selects a delivery timeframe.The customer may order online remotely or order locally within a storebut select a deliver option. As such, the store's order fulfillmentsystem may then transfer data related to the transaction of the items toan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. The same internal processesas an order online for pickup in store may have a retail associate pickthe ordered item(s) and gather them for a localized pickup. Theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be assigned, and then the retailassociate may load the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus with inventory(e.g., with the bot apparatus monitoring the loading process), and thenthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is sent to deliver the order. Therecipient (e.g., the ordering entity or a separately designated entity)receives a notification that the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is readyand is given an estimated time of arrival. The recipient/customer canchange time or accept delivery time by interacting directly with theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., via TRON element wirelesscommunications between a recipient/customer's user access deviceoperating as an ID node and a component of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus operating as a master node) or interacting indirectly with theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus via a dispatch system operated by theretailer as a type of server. Visibility and communication allows forthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to deliver to person who authenticatesmay be based on store selected security protocols. The recipient maythen authenticate delivery via an app operating on the recipient's useraccess device, via TRON node interactions for association-basedauthenticated delivery, or via interaction with the display screen onthe MAM component. As the customer unloads the exemplary MALVT botapparatus, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may monitor unloading(e.g., making sure what is unloaded from the CSS is supposed to be atthe new location) and ensure that all/appropriate contents have beenremoved, and then the bot apparatus may return to the retail location.If the purchased item is incorrect or unsatisfactory, the customer mayinteract with the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., via a displayinterface and human-to-machine interaction or via wireless communicationbetween the customer's user access device and the exemplary MALVT botapparatus) to select an option to return item to the store. Theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus then either accepts the return, or ensuresthat it is empty and returns to the retailer. As it relates to this typeof store-to-consumer logistics operation involving an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly, those skilled in the art will appreciate thataspects of TRON wireless node technology as described above may beincorporated and leveraged for device/node location, door & lockoperation, elevator operation, and authentication using the variousnodes (e.g., different nodes embedded in or in responsive communicationwith an actuated door, lock, or elevator).

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 5100involving a dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation in a retailenvironment, the destination delivery information received as part ofthe dispatch command in step S105 may include a selected deliverytimeframe for presenting the ordered item to the authorized deliveryrecipient. Such a selected delivery timeframe corresponds to a range oftime over which the modular autonomous bot apparatus will autonomouslyarrive at the destination location for monitored unloading of theordered item as part of the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation.

In another example of such a further embodiment of method 5100, thedispatch command received in step S105 may include supplierauthentication information related to an authorized retail personnelthat obtains and provides the ordered item to the modular cargo storagesystem. As such, step S115 of receiving the ordered item may beimplemented by receiving supplier authentication input by the modularmobile autonomy control module from a loading retail personnel disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the originlocation; and having the modular cargo storage system providingselective access to within the modular cargo storage system only whenthe supplier authentication input received correlates to the supplierauthentication information indicating that the loading retail personnelproviding the supplier authentication input is the authorized retailpersonnel for obtaining and providing the ordered item. In this example,the authorized retail personnel may obtain and provide the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system after the dispatch serverinstructs the authorized retail personnel (e.g., via messaging to amobile wireless node based user access device operated by the authorizedretail personnel) to obtain obtains and provides the ordered item to themodular cargo storage system as part of the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation. Furthermore, in this example, step S115 may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module monitoringloading of the ordered item from within the modular cargo storage systemas the ordered item is received within the modular cargo storage system,where such monitoring may use one or more sensors on at least one of themodular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo storagesystem.

Further still, such monitored loading as part of step S115 may alsoinvolve generating a log entry in a custodial inventory data structure(stored in memory of exemplary MAM 1725) when the ordered item isdetected to be placed within the modular cargo storage system. Such alog entry reflects placement of the ordered item within the modularcargo storage system. This particular loading process in this embodimentof method 5100 for retail ordered items in step S115 may involvecapturing sensor data from sensors on at least one of the modular mobileautonomy control module and the modular cargo storage system (similar tothat described above), and then detecting when the ordered item isplaced within the modular cargo storage system based upon the capturedsensor data (e.g., determinations based upon processing the capturedsensor data, such as image data, barcode scan data, video data, audiodata, movement data, as well as node location data).

In another example of such a retail focused embodiment of method 5100, afurther embodiment of method 5100 may further include notifying therecipient of an anticipated delivery time with an option for therecipient to change the delivery time. In more detail, such a furtherembodiment of method 5100 may include the steps of having the modularmobile autonomy control module notifying the authorized deliveryrecipient of an anticipated delivery time of the ordered item at thedestination location prior to receiving the ordered item in the modularcargo storage system, and then having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receive a responsive confirmation from the authorizeddelivery recipient related to the anticipated delivery of the ordereditem. As such, the step S115 of receiving the ordered item within thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system may depend on theresponsive confirmation from the authorized delivery recipient.

In more detail in this example, step S115 of receiving the ordered itemwithin the payload area within the modular cargo storage system maypermissively proceed upon receipt of the responsive confirmation whenthe responsive confirmation from the authorized delivery recipientindicates acceptance of the anticipated delivery time of the ordereditem. However, in this same example, step S115 may have receiving theordered item within the payload area being delayed upon receipt of theresponsive confirmation when the responsive confirmation from theauthorized delivery recipient indicates an alternative delivery time ofthe ordered item.

In this same example, the step of notifying the authorized deliveryrecipient of the anticipated delivery time may have the modular mobileautonomy control module transmitting a wireless notification messagedirectly to an external wireless node identified to be related to theauthorized delivery recipient based upon the delivery authenticationinformation. This wireless notification message provides the anticipateddelivery time to the authorized delivery recipient. Thereafter, the stepof receiving the responsive confirmation from the authorized deliveryrecipient may involve receiving a wireless confirmation message directlyfrom the external wireless node identified to be related to theauthorized delivery recipient, where the wireless confirmation messageprovides the responsive confirmation from the authorized deliveryrecipient.

In other embodiments of this example, notification of the deliveryrecipient may be implemented in a more indirect manner. For example, thestep of notifying the authorized delivery recipient of the anticipateddelivery time may have the modular mobile autonomy control moduletransmitting a notification message indirectly through the dispatchserver to the authorized delivery recipient, where the notificationmessage provides the anticipated delivery time to the authorizeddelivery recipient. As such, the step of receiving the responsiveconfirmation from the authorized delivery recipient may be accomplishedby receiving a confirmation message indirectly from the authorizeddelivery recipient through the dispatch server, where the confirmationmessage provides the responsive confirmation from the authorizeddelivery recipient.

In further retail-related embodiments of exemplary method 5100, thedelivery recipient authenticated input may be based upon predeterminedstore-specific authentication protocols that may be different fordifferent stores serviced by the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly.For example, an embodiment of method 5100 may implement step S130 wherethe received delivery recipient authentication input must conform to astore-selected security protocol for verifying the delivery recipientauthentication input is from the authorized delivery recipient so thatthe ordered item is provided only to the authorized delivery recipient.In more detail, such a store-selected security protocol may have thedelivery recipient authentication input received by the modular mobileautonomy control module being provided by the delivery recipient througha user input panel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatuscoupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., with anaccess code, biometric input, and the like) and/or through wirelesscommunications with an external wireless node disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (e.g., with a wirelesslyprovide access code, biometric input, and the like).

In a further example of exemplary method 5100 involvingstore-selected-security protocols for verification purposes, theauthentication information related to the dispatched store-to-customerlogistics operation may include an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the ordered item as part of the dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation. As such, step S130 of receivingthe delivery recipient authentication input using the store-selectedsecurity protocol may be further implemented with the modular mobileautonomy control module detecting an advertising signal as the deliveryrecipient authentication input from an external wireless node within apredetermined range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at thedestination location identified by the destination information, and thenauthenticating that the external wireless node is associated with theauthorized delivery recipient for the ordered item within the modularcargo storage system based upon the identifier of the authorizeddelivery recipient and identifier information within the detectedadvertising signal broadcast from the external wireless node. In anotherexample, step S130 may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module detecting an unprompted advertising signal from anexternal wireless node within a predetermined range of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the destination location identified bythe destination information; and establishing a secure associationbetween the external node and the modular mobile autonomy control moduleafter detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the externalwireless node. This secure association between the external node and themodular mobile autonomy control module allows secure sharing ofinformation between the external node and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module and may be pre-authorized by the dispatch server as itrelates to this dispatched store-to-customer logistics operation.

In yet another example of such a further embodiment of method 5100involving a retail environment, monitoring the unloading process as partof method 5100 may also include further responsive steps that may beinitiated based upon the results of the monitoring. For example,monitoring the unloading of the ordered item as part of step S140 in afurther embodiment of method 5100 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module detecting that the ordered item has been removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data generatedby the sensors, and receiving a satisfaction indicator input by themodular mobile autonomy control module from the authorized deliveryrecipient after detecting that the ordered item has been removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system. Thereafter, the modular cargostorage system may receive the ordered item back within the modularcargo storage system if the satisfaction indicator input reflects theauthorized delivery recipient is returning the ordered item. As such,step S145 of autonomously causing the modular mobility base to move fromthe destination location to the origin location may be implemented asautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the destination location on thereturn route to the origin location after receiving the satisfactionindicator input and transporting contents of the payload area within themodular cargo storage system depending upon the satisfaction indicatorinput.

Store to Home Use Cases—Food/Grocery Delivery

In another store-to-consumer type of embodiment, a restaurant may takean order from a customer in-person or online. In general, such anembodiment may have the ordered food prepared, and the ordering systemtransfers data to a dispatch system or software, which assigns anddispatches an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (such as bot apparatusassembly 1700). In this general example, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus accepts delivery and location (e.g., address, GPS, TRONdetermined location based on a customer's user access device operatingas an ID node, etc.) and travels to the customer. The customer receivesa notification that the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus has left therestaurant location with an estimate on delivery timeframe. Thecustomer/recipient may then authenticate delivery via an app operatingon the customer/recipient's user access device, via TRON nodeinteractions for association-based authenticated delivery, or viainteraction with the display screen on the MAM component. Thereafter,the customer/recipient retrieves the delivery. Visibility of thelocation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to the customer may dependupon the restaurant. The CSS component of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus may be implemented with organized climate control storage(e.g., a warming box cargo module, such as exemplary climate controlmodule 2210) and/or insulated to retain a desired temp (hot or cold) andwill be industry specific for the delivery food sent to the customer.Compartmental separators (such as separators 3608) may also be disposedwithin the CSS to separate different food orders and partition thepayload area within the CSS into different climates for food itemsrequiring different environments. Once the customer receives thedelivery, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus ensures all items have beenremoved (e.g., via a vision system or other onboard monitoring of thefood contents via payload monitoring sensors) and returns to the originrestaurant location. The display screen on the exemplary MALVT botapparatus can also display cautions for heat, restaurantadvertisements/branding, or instructions for food preparation.

In another store-to-consumer food delivery embodiment, a customer mayshop online for groceries and select delivery now (with estimated timeto delivery) or delivery for a particular delivery window. Thecustomer's purchases are prepared at location (e.g., with locationsdefined by a GPS, a physical address entry, TRON node location, etc.)and loaded into an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (which may be at thepurchase preparation location or be dispatched from a bot storagelocation to such a pickup location). The exemplary MALVT bot apparatusis then dispatched by the store's online system or a separate dispatchsystem (e.g., dispatch server 4205) to a specified address provided bythe customer. The customer receives a notification of the departure ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and an estimated delivery time. Thevisibility of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to the customer may bedependent upon the food supplier. The customer may then authenticatedelivery via an app operating on the recipient's user access device, viaTRON node interactions for association-based authenticated delivery, orvia interaction with the display screen on the MAM component. Once thecustomer receives the delivery, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusensures all items have been removed (e.g., via a vision system or otheronboard monitoring of the food contents via payload monitoring sensors)and returns to the origin store location or continues to anotherlocation for another delivery (e.g., food in another partitioned foodstorage compartment of an exemplary multi-compartment CSS component).The CSS component of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may beimplemented with organized climate control storage (e.g., one or morewarming box cargo modules, such as exemplary climate control module2210) and/or insulated to retain a desired temp (hot or cold) and willbe industry specific for the delivery food sent to the customer. Similarto the embodiment discussed above, compartmental separators (such asseparators 3608) may also be disposed within the CSS to separatedifferent food orders and partition the payload area within the CSS intodifferent climates for food items requiring different environments.Additionally, should the CSS component include multiple food storagecompartments, a further embodiment may have individual doors (similar tocargo door 1715) where each of the compartmental doors may be actuateddoors that provide an individually secure and selective opening ofparticular compartments based upon customer authentication for food itemorders maintained within a respective compartment within CSS.

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 5100involving a dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation in afood/grocery environment, the ordered item may be food stuffs gatheredby a loading entity (restaurant worker or grocery employee), and may bemultiple retail items sold by a business entity that employs the loadingentity.

An embodiment of exemplary method 5100 in the food/grocery environmentmay include the step of transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, a dispatch command acceptance response to the dispatchserver acknowledging acceptance of the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation based upon the dispatch command and a status of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. In this way, the MAM of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly may review the details ofinformation in the dispatch command and a status of how the botapparatus assembly is configured and its readiness in order to providesuch a dispatch command acceptance response. In more detail, this mayinvolve having the modular mobility autonomy control module accessingcontext data on environmental conditions about the origin location andthe destination location; generating the dispatch command acceptanceresponse based upon the dispatch command, the status of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, and the accessed context data on theenvironmental conditions about the origin location and the destinationlocation; and transmitting the generated dispatch command acceptanceresponse to the dispatch server.

And while the MAM in this example may determine it can accept thedispatched operation per the dispatch command and the status of the botassembly, other situations may have the MAM determining it cannot acceptthe dispatched operation. For example, an embodiment of method 5100 mayhave the modular mobile autonomy control module transmitting a dispatchcommand decline response to the dispatch server informing the dispatchserver that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is unable toperform the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation based uponthe dispatch command and the status of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and that the dispatch server must send the dispatchcommand to another modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at theorigin location in order to complete the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation. In more detail, transmitting the dispatch commanddecline response may be accomplished in an embodiment with the modularmobility autonomy control module identifying an adverse transitcondition based upon context data on environmental conditions about theorigin location and the destination location (e.g., weather data,traffic data, construction information regarding these locations,building closure information, and the like); generating the dispatchcommand decline response based upon the dispatch command, the status ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and the adverse transitcondition related to the context data on the environmental conditionsabout the origin location and the destination location; and transmittingthe generated dispatch command decline response to the dispatch server.In still a further embodiment, method 5100 may also include having themodular mobile autonomy control module transmitting a dispatch commandredirect response to the dispatch server requesting a change to thedispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation based upon context dataon the environmental conditions about at least one of the originlocation and the destination location.

In some examples, the context data on the environmental conditions aboutthe origin location and the destination location may be provided by thedispatch server as part of the dispatch command received from thedispatch server. In other examples, such context data on theenvironmental conditions related to the origin and destination locationsand routing locations in between may be requested by the MAM once havingreceived the dispatch command. Such a request may be to the dispatchserver or, in some embodiments, may be an online request where the MAMcomponent downloads such environmental contextual information throughthird party weather reports, and other third party information availableon a network, such as the Internet.

As noted above, a store-to-consumer food/grocery delivery embodiment mayhave the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly used as part of method5100 with a verified compatible modular cargo storage system having oneor more climate control modules (e.g., exemplary climate control module2210) disposed within the payload area and operative to maintain adesired environment in the payload area (or a partitioned compartment ofthe payload area) within the modular cargo storage system for theordered item according to the transport parameters on the ordered item.Such a payload area may be at least a partially insulated within modularcargo storage system so as to help maintain the desired environment.Control of the climate control module in such embodiments may beaccomplished with the modular mobile autonomy control moduletransmitting a climate control input to the climate control module toalter an environment proximate, surrounding, or otherwise next to theclimate control module to maintain the desired environment in thepayload area according to the transport parameters on the ordered item.

Further store-to-consumer food delivery embodiments of method 5100 mayalso include generating a display alert on the display on the modularmobile autonomy control module that may, for example, have a heatcaution related to the ordered item, branded information on a foodservice entity that supplies the ordered item, instructional informationrelated to the ordered item, and/or branded information from a foodservice entity that supplies the ordered item and where such brandedinformation includes information about additional items available fororder from the food service entity.

An embodiment of exemplary method 5100 in the food/grocery environmentmay further have the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly beingdispatched also having a secondary destination for an additional itemwithin the payload area. For example, in a further food delivery relatedembodiment of method 5100, step S145 of autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move on the return route to the origin location mayinvolve having the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationto a secondary delivery location after the ordered item is detected tobe removed from within the modular cargo storage system at thedestination location and after an additional item is detected within themodular cargo storage system while at the destination location. Such asecondary delivery location may be identified as part of the destinationinformation related to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation or may be separately provided to the MAM when receivinginformation about the additional item. Thereafter, the modular mobileautonomy control module may autonomously cause the modular mobility baseto move from the secondary delivery location to the origin locationafter the additional item is detected as removed from within the modularcargo storage system at the secondary delivery location.

In more detail in this further embodiment, method 5100 may further havethe steps of receiving third party entity authentication input by themodular mobile autonomy control module from a third party entity whileat the secondary delivery location after the modular mobility basearrives at the secondary delivery location. If the third party entityauthentication input correlates to a portion of the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation, the input indicates the third party entity that provided thethird party entity authentication input is an authorized third partyrecipient for the additional item within the module cargo storage systemas part of the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation. Oncethe input indicates it is from the authorized third party recipient, themodular cargo storage system may provide selective access to within themodular cargo storage system for removal of the additional item.

Such an additional item may be kept in another compartment within thepayload area of the modular cargo storage system. As such, such anembodiment of method 5100 may receive the ordered item in the payloadarea at step S115 with the modular cargo storage system receiving theordered item in a first of different separated storage compartmentswithin the payload area within the modular cargo storage system. Assuch, step S140 may have the modular mobile autonomy control modulemonitoring unloading of the ordered item from the first compartmentwithin the modular cargo storage system using payload monitoring sensorson at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and themodular cargo storage system that monitor that first compartment. StepS145 may then be implemented with the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule autonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from thedestination location to a secondary delivery location after the ordereditem is detected to be removed from the first compartment within themodular cargo storage system at the destination location and after theadditional item is detected within a second compartment of the separatedstorage compartments within the modular cargo storage system while atthe destination location, where the secondary delivery location isidentified as part of the destination information related to thedispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation. Thereafter, themodular mobile autonomy control module may autonomously cause, as partof step S145, the modular mobility base to move from the secondarydelivery location to the origin location after the additional item isdetected to be removed from the second compartment within the modularcargo storage system at the secondary delivery location.

In this embodiment involving the additional item and the secondarydelivery location, a further embodiment may have step S135 providing, bythe modular cargo storage system, selective access to the firstcompartment maintaining the ordered item within the modular cargostorage system while limiting access to others of the separated storagecompartments including the second compartment. Such selective access tothe first compartment may be provided only when the delivery recipientauthentication input received correlates to the delivery authenticationinformation indicating that the delivery recipient providing thedelivery recipient authentication input is the authorized deliveryrecipient. As such, other compartments may remain inaccessible whenproviding the limited and selective access to the first compartment.

The different compartments within the CSS may have their respectiveenvironments controlled as noted above. For example and in thisembodiment involving the different compartments for the ordered item andthe additional item, a further embodiment of method 5100 may include thestep of setting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a firstdetachable climate control module disposed within the first compartmentof the separated storage compartments within the payload area to firstdesired temperature according to the transport parameters on the ordereditem. For example, the ordered item in the first compartment may befrozen grocery items and so the detachable climate control module (e.g.,module 2210) may be set by MAM 1725 to have an appropriate desiredtemperature according to a transport parameter for the frozen groceryitems. Likewise, other desired temperature settings may be set for otherclimate control modules detachably disposed in other compartments, suchas the one holding the additional item where the transport parameter onthe additional item (e.g., included in the dispatch command and relatedto the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation) indicates adifferent desired temperature if the additional item is non-frozenperishable fruit.

Store to Home Use Cases—Retail Print/Copy Delivery

In still another store-to-consumer embodiment, a retail print/copybusiness establishment (RPBE) operates where a customer may come in towork on an order to be printed/copied, simply bring the order in forprinting/copying, or interact with the RPBE via an online customerportal or website for such an order. In a general example embodiment, acustomer may come to the RPBE for an order, and select a print/copydelivery order and transfer desired files related to the order to theRPBE (e.g., a server system at the RPBE or a remote server associatedwith the RPBE). Upon receipt of the order and confirmation of print/copyspecifics related to the order, the RPBE (via personnel or automaticallyvia its systems) may determine if delivery of the order is eligible tobe performed by an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. If so, the customermay be offered delivery by an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus for adecreased price and the customer selects a desired delivery timeframe.If delivery by the an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is accepted, theordered job will be completed and assigned to a an exemplary MALVT botapparatus for delivery. The customer may receive a notification that theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus is ready along with an estimated time ofarrival. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus completes delivery tocustomer, and ensures all items have been removed and returns toappropriate RPBE location. When ordering, the customer may also have theopportunity to set up a pickup with delivery. In such an example, thecustomer may drop off an object (e.g., a USB thumb drive having files tobe printed, documents that have been printed and packaged and are readyfor shipment, and the like) back into the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusafter retrieving the completed print/copy job if they have an outgoingpickup related to a further job for the RPBE. The exemplary MALVT botapparatus may return to the RPBE location with the object picked up forsorting of the object so that the object may be shipped beyond the RPBElocation. Various levels of authentication may be implemented in thisembodiment via an app operating on the customer's user access device,via TRON node interactions for association-based authenticated delivery,or via interaction with the display screen on the MAM component.Visibility may be an option for the customer at time of order in orderto ensure security. Aspects of TRON technology may be incorporated andleveraged for location, door & lock operation, elevator operation, andauthentication using the various nodes (e.g., different nodes embeddedin or in responsive communication with an actuated door, lock, orelevator) and node locating techniques described above.

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 5100involving a dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation in a retailprint/copy delivery environment, method may pre-screen the dispatchedoperation for eligibility for autonomous delivery. For example, stepS105 in method 5100 may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receiving a pre-screened dispatch command from thedispatch server. Such a pre-screened dispatch command indicates thedispatch server has verified the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation is an autonomous delivery eligible logistics operation, andwhere the pre-screened dispatch command includes at least identifierinformation on the ordered item, transport parameters on the ordereditem, destination delivery information related to delivery of theordered item, and delivery authentication information related to anauthorized delivery recipient of the ordered item.

Prior to receiving the dispatch command in step S105, an embodiment ofmethod 5100 may have the dispatch server receiving an autonomousdelivery order for the ordered item priced at an autonomous deliveryoption level below a non-autonomous delivery option level for the sameordered item; and then having the dispatch server transmitting thedispatch command to the modular mobile autonomy control module of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

In still another embodiment of method 5100, the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly may, after delivery of the ordered item, return tothe origin (e.g., the RPBE) with an additional item, such as a new printjob to be processed at the RPBE. For example, step S145 may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationback to the original location after the ordered item is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system at the destinationlocation and an additional item is detected to be placed within themodular cargo storage system at the destination location, the additionalitem to be returned to the origin location as a new retail work orderfrom the authorized delivery recipient. In this example, method 5100 mayalso include the step of autonomously causing, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, transfer of the additional item out from thepayload area the modular cargo storage system at the origin location forprocessing of the additional item according to the new retail work orderby a retail processing system located at the original location. Such aninitiated transfer may, for example, involve actuated components andobject manipulation systems on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly as described in more detail above (e.g., moving belt surfaces,actuated doors, grabbing arms, articulating arms, and the like).

Store to Home Use Cases—Try Before You Buy

In yet another store-to-consumer embodiment, a customer may ordermultiple sizes or colors of an item knowing that they will be keepingnone or only some of the items and returning the other(s). In general,the customer, when ordering, may select a “try before you buy” optionwithin a retailer's website and select a variety of sizes, colors, otheroptions. The customer may also select a delivery window in which theycan receive the delivery and try on the item. Customer location for theorder is provided (e.g., via an entered address, provided or detectedGPS coordinates, using TRON location techniques, etc.). A retailassociate (or system) may pick and load the ordered multiple items intoan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus along with preprinted return forms. Thecustomer may confirm that the delivery window is still appropriate andreceives an alert when the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus leaves with theordered items. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus travels to the deliverylocation and alerts the customer upon approaching the location and/orupon arrival at the delivery location. The recipient may thenauthenticate delivery via an app operating on the recipient's useraccess device, via TRON node interactions for association-basedauthenticated delivery, or via interaction with the display screen onthe MAM component. The customer retrieves the items from the CSScomponent, tries on the items, keeps the desired items of theappropriate size, and returns the unwanted items to the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may wait for aspecified amount of time before returning to the retailer base withreturned items or without any items if customer wishes. The exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus alerts the retail associate (or system) upon arrivalback at the retail base. The retail associate (or system) processesreturns and/or purchases of items based upon what is returned within theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus. Depending upon the particular scenarioand the retailer's business rules, a charge may be processed at thattime, or refund may be processed at that time.

Accordingly, in such a further embodiment of exemplary method 5100involving a dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation in a “trybefore buy scenario”, the ordered item may be trial items being sent tothe authorized delivery recipient for satisfaction assessment beforepurchase. The trial items may, for example, be retail clothing ofdifferent sizes and/or different designs and/or different colors. Assuch, step S140 involving monitoring of the unloading process for theordered item (e.g., the ordered trial items being sent to the deliveryrecipient) may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule (a) detecting that each of the trial items have been removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data generatedby the one or more sensors, (b) receiving a satisfaction indicator inputfrom the authorized delivery recipient after detecting that the trialitems have been removed from within the modular cargo storage system(where the satisfaction indicator input reflects that one or more of thetrial items are to be returned after the satisfaction assessment), and(c) receiving the one or more trial items to be returned within themodular cargo storage system. Thereafter, step S145 may be accomplishedby autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,the modular mobility base to move from the destination location on thereturn route to the origin location after receiving the satisfactionindicator input and receiving those of the trial items to be returned inthe payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

In some embodiments, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly mayreturn in step S145 with no return trial items because the recipient maybe pleased with all of the trial items and want to purchase and keep allof the trial items. Thus, in such a situation, an embodiment of method5100 may have step S140 related to monitoring be implemented by themodular mobile autonomy control module detecting that each of the trialitems have been removed from within the modular cargo storage systembased upon sensor data generated by the one or more sensors, and thencausing the modular mobility base to remain stationary for apredetermined period of time awaiting a satisfaction indicator inputfrom the authorized delivery recipient after detecting that the trialitems have been removed from within the modular cargo storage system.Step S145 may, after the predetermined period of time expires withoutreceiving the satisfaction indicator input, have the modular mobileautonomy control module autonomously cause the modular mobility base tomove from the destination location on the return route to the originlocation.

In a further detailed embodiment where the bot apparatus waits and thenreturns with some of the trial items, step S140 of monitoring theunloading of the ordered item may be implemented with (a) the modularmobile autonomy control module detecting that each of the trial itemshave been removed from within the modular cargo storage system basedupon sensor data generated by the one or more sensors; (b) having themodular mobile autonomy control module cause the modular mobility baseto remain stationary up to a predetermined period of time awaiting asatisfaction indicator input from the authorized delivery recipientafter detecting that the trial items have been removed from within themodular cargo storage system; (c) having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receiving a satisfaction indicator input from theauthorized delivery recipient after detecting that the trial items havebeen removed from within the modular cargo storage system and prior tothe end of the predetermined period of time, the satisfaction indicatorinput reflecting one or more of the trial items are to be returned afterthe satisfaction assessment by the authorized delivery recipient; and(d) having the modular cargo storage system receiving the one or moretrial items to be returned within the modular cargo storage system.Thereafter, step S145 of method 5100 is implemented to have the modularmobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to move from the destination location on the return route to theorigin location after receiving the satisfaction indicator input andreceiving the one or more of the trial items to be returned in thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system.

Inventory Logistics Support

In still another embodiment, one or more exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassemblies (such as assembly 1700) may be dispatched to help to enablean inventory logistics support service to ferry inventory from asourcing location to a customer on demand. In one example, this mayinvolve an embodiment of exemplary method 4500 where the item beingshipped as part of that method is an inventory item that is being movedas part of an inventory logistics support dispatched operation. For someinventory logistics support situations, there may be a need for timesensitive, high value parts inventory management that is robust andquick to respond to a customer's needs. For example, a customer mayrequest an order via an existing web application on a website, andselect a desired delivery time or a fastest delivery available with anestimated time of arrival. Such an order may be received at an inventorylogistics support customer center and fulfilled. As part of fulfillment,an embodiment may dispatch, through a dispatch server, an exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus for the order according to the principles and stepsdescribed above for exemplary method 4500 and its variations. Forexample, the customer (as a type of delivery recipient) may receive anupdate that the dispatched exemplary MALVT bot apparatus has left thestocking location (where the dispatched exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly has received the inventory item) along with an estimated timeof arrival. The loaded exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may thenautonomously move to the customer (e.g., the destination location)leveraging location techniques (e.g., via GPS, mapping, or TRONenablement with node locating techniques as described above) and alertrecipient while approaching and/or upon arrival. The customer may thenauthenticate delivery with delivery recipient authentication input via,for example, an app operating on the recipient customer's user accessdevice, via TRON node interactions for association-based authenticateddelivery, or via interaction with the display screen on the MAMcomponent, or via the steps described in more detail above inembodiments of method 4500. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblythen returns to the stocking location (e.g., an origin location or a botstorage location at the stocking location).

In a further embodiment, warehousing locations for such an inventorylogistics support service may have additional TRON implementedautomation used with order fulfillment, such as ID or masternode-enabled objects that may be shipped as inventory items, ID ormaster node-enabled shelving units (e.g., exemplary node-enabledshelving unit 4800 as shown and explained in FIGS. 48A-48D), and/or anode-enabled pick and place machine. Each of such node-enableddevices/systems can automatically interface and communicate with anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly similar to communicationsdescribed with exemplary node-enabled shelving system, and may respondto signals, messages, notifications, and commands from the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly (e.g., notification of arrival,notification of the particular item to be picked up, and the like) so asto responsively facilitate an enhanced pick and load process forappropriate ordered items into the CSS component of an exemplary MALVTbot apparatus for delivery making the inventory logistics supportservice fully automated.

FIG. 52A-52F are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus 1700) interfacing andinteracting with an exemplary node-enabled pick and place machine 5200in a warehousing location in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring now to FIG. 52A, exemplary node-enabled exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 is shown approaching an exemplarynode-enabled pick and place machine 5200 within a warehouse environment,for example, where exemplary inventory items 5240 a, 5240 b (e.g., partof inventory items that may have been ordered and shipped to thewarehouse location and stored there for pickup and distribution).Exemplary node-enabled pick and place machine 5100, as shown FIGS.52A-52F, has a base 5205, a wireless node 5210 (such as an ID node ormaster node) that interfaces with pick and place control system 5215. Insome embodiments, wireless node 5210 and pick and place control system5215 may be implemented using the same control system where anembodiment pick and place control system 5215 may operate as wirelessnode 5210, which communicates and interfaces with other wirelessdevices, such as autonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725 of exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. On base 5205, system 5200 may bedeployed with an articulating arm 5220 with multiple degrees of freedomand an object engaging grip head 5225 operative to be moved to engageitems, such as inventory item 5240 a, from a conveyor belt 5235 disposedon conveyor base 5230. In operation, exemplary pick and place machine5200 may interface with inventory management systems at the warehousinglocation to request particular inventory items be available within reachof the pick and place machine 5200 so as to allow for automatedplacement of such items from the machine 5200 (e.g., conveyor belt 5235)to exemplary CSS 1720 of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700.

Again, in the example shown in FIG. 52A, exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 has approached the exemplary node-enabled pick and placemachine 5200 in order to pick up an inventory item, such as inventoryitem 5240 a. As exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 approachesthe exemplary node-enabled pick and place machine 5200, exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700 communicates with the node 5210 on themachine 5200 and opens its cargo door 1715. With the identification ofthe particular inventory item needed, node-enabled pick and placemachine 5200 has its control system 5215 manipulate articulating arm5220 and head 5225 to obtain custody of the inventory item 5240 aidentified by exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 as shown inFIG. 52B. With control of inventory item 5240 a, the control system 5215of machine 5200 picks the item 5240 a from conveyor belt 5235 and placesthe item 5240 a with exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700—e.g.,on the extended cargo door 1715 as shown in FIG. 52C. In FIG. 52D,node-enabled pick and place machine 5200 relinquishes control of item5240 a to exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. In oneembodiment, the articulating arm 5220 and head 5225 may place the item5240 a within the payload area of the CSS 1720 on exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 before relinquishing control of item 5240 a.However, in other embodiments, exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700 may employ and control its own articulating arm (such as arm 4325)or other actuators and object manipulation systems (e.g., moving belts,sweeping arms, grabbing arms, and the like) to autonomously move theitem 5240 a into the payload area of CSS 1720 as shown in FIG. 52E. Oncethe item 5420 a is within the payload area of CSS 1720 of exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, MAM 1725 actuates door 1715 to aclosed position as shown in FIG. 52F to complete the example loading orpick up task involving exemplary node-enabled pick and place machine5200.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of pick andplace machines may be node-enabled so as to interface and communicatewith exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 as part of loading suchan item 5240 a into the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700.Different inventory item feeder structure may be used (other than or inaddition to a conveyor) and different object manipulation systems may beused (other than or in addition to an articulating arm) as part of anexemplary node-enabled pick and place machine that can be responsive tocommunications with exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 andfacilitate automated loading of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 with items to be delivered.

Accordingly, in a further embodiment of exemplary method 5100 involvinga dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation where pickup of theordered item involves interfacing and interacting with a node-enabledpick and place machine, the step of receiving the ordered item mayinvolve further steps. For example, in such an embodiment of method5100, the origin location may be a warehousing location for warehouseditems and where the dispatch command further includes a pickup locationwithin the warehousing location where the warehoused ordered item is tobe provided by a wireless node-enabled pick and place machine (e.g.,machine 5200). As such, step S115 of receiving the ordered item in thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system may have themodular mobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from within the warehousing location to the pickuplocation and then have the modular mobile autonomy control moduledetecting an unprompted advertising signal from the wireless node-enablepick and pack machine as the modular mobility base approaches the pickuplocation (e.g., an advertising signal from node 5210). Once the signalis detected, step S115 may also establish a secure association betweenthe modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine where the secure association between the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module allows secure sharing of information between the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module and is pre-authorized by the dispatch server as itrelates to the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation. Withthe established secure association between the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine and the modular mobile autonomy control module(which may also involve generating association data reflecting apermissive logical connection between the two devices), step S115 mayproceed with having the modular mobile autonomy control module securelysharing the identifier of the ordered item involved in the dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation with the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine, and then receiving the ordered item in thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system from the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine.

As explained above, such a node-enabled pick and place machine may placethe ordered item within the payload area of the modular cargo storagesystem. Thus, in the example from above, step S115 may further involverequesting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine to obtain the ordered item basedupon the identifier of the ordered item securely shared with thewireless node-enabled pick and place machine; and receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the ordered item from the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine in response to the requesting step.In this example, the ordered item received from the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine is placed by the wirelessnode-enabled pick and place machine within the payload area of themodular cargo storage system.

As also explained above, an embodiment of method 5100 may have such anode-enabled pick and place machine place the ordered item on anactuated belt surface as part of step S115. For example, step S115 maybe implemented in such an embodiment with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module requesting the wireless node-enabled pick and placemachine to obtain the ordered item based upon the identifier of theordered item securely shared with the wireless node-enabled pick andplace machine; receiving the ordered item from the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine in response to the requesting step and placed bythe wireless node-enabled pick and place machine on an actuated beltsurface of the modular cargo storage system; and actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the actuated belt surface tomove the ordered item placed on the actuated belt surface to within thepayload area of the modular cargo storage system.

Further embodiments of method 5100 may have such a node-enabled pick andplace machine place the ordered item on an extended ramp (e.g., theopened cargo door, and the like) so that the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 may use its own object manipulation systems tomove the ordered into the payload area of the CSS. For example, stepS115 may be implements in such an embodiment with the modular mobileautonomy control module requesting the wireless node-enabled pick andplace machine to obtain the ordered item based upon the identifier ofthe ordered item securely shared with the wireless node-enabled pick andplace machine; receiving the ordered item from the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine in response to the requesting step and placed bythe wireless node-enabled pick and place machine on an extended ramp ofthe modular cargo storage system; and actuating, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed within themodular cargo system to move the ordered item from on the extended rampto within the payload area of the modular cargo storage system.Alternatively or in addition, the modular mobile autonomy control modulemay actuate other object manipulation systems on the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly (e.g., an actuated sliding arm 2085/2700 on the CSSor APM and/or an articulating arm 4325 disposed on the bot apparatusassembly) to move the ordered item into the modular cargo storagesystem.

Further embodiments of method 5100 may involve the transport of anode-enabled ordered item as part of a dispatched store-to-homelogistics operation. In such an embodiment, the identifier informationon the ordered item further may include a node identifier correspondingto a wireless node associated with the ordered item. As such, step S115of receiving the ordered item in the payload area within the modularcargo storage system may have the modular mobile autonomy control moduledetecting an unprompted advertising signal from the wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item and then establishing a secureassociation between the modular mobile autonomy control module and thewireless node associated with the ordered item after detecting theunprompted advertising signal from the wireless node associated with theordered item. Such a secure association between the wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule allows secure sharing of information between the wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, where the secure association is pre-authorized by the dispatchserver as it relates to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation. Thereafter, step S115 continues with the modular cargostorage system receiving the node-enabled ordered item in the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system after establishing thesecure association.

In this same embodiment, method 5100 may have step S140 of monitoringunloading of the ordered item from within the modular cargo storagesystem being implemented by monitoring a location of the wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item (operating as an ID node) by themodular mobile autonomy control module (operating as a master node); anddetecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, when thelocation of the wireless node associated with the ordered item isoutside the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

Dispatched Logistics Operations Without a Delivery Recipient Present

Beyond exemplary method 5100, some embodiments may have a dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation involving delivery to a locationwhere the delivery recipient may not be present for deliveryauthentication input from a person and/or assistance with retrieving theordered item from within the payload of the CSS of exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700. For example, an embodiment may be able toauthenticate delivery specific to a location with deliveryauthentication input coming from a facility node and where articulatingarms (e.g., arm 4325) or other object manipulation systems describedabove may be deployed by exemplary modular components of the assembly(e.g., moving belt surfaces 2080 a, 2080 b, sweeping arms 2085, 2700,grabbing arms 2090, 2710) as part of depositing the ordered item at itsdestination.

FIG. 53 is a flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of an exemplarymethod for dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation related toan ordered item and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly(MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. An embodiment of such a method 5300 mayuse an embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (asassembled or after an on-demand assembly) and a dispatch server (e.g.,server 4205, 4720). Exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyused (e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 5300 is equipped with atleast a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary powermodule (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g.,exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what istransported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, anda modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) withits autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) thatautonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 during method 5300.

Referring now to FIG. 53, exemplary method 5300 begins at step S305 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a dispatch commandfrom the dispatch server. Such a dispatch command includes at leastidentifier information on the ordered item, transport parameters on theordered item, and destination delivery information related to deliveryof the ordered item.

At step S310, method 5300 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleverifying that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatchedstore-to-consumer logistics operation based upon the dispatch command.Thereafter, at step S315, method 5300 has the modular cargo storagesystem receiving the ordered item in a payload area within the modularcargo storage system.

At step S320, method 5300 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from an originlocation on a route to a destination location identified by thedestination delivery information. And then, at step S325, method 5300has the modular cargo storage system providing selective access to theordered item within the modular cargo storage system upon arrival at thedestination location.

At step S330, method 5300 has the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, autonomously unloading the ordered item from within the modularcargo storage system using an object manipulation system disposed on atleast one of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularcargo storage system, and the modular auxiliary power module.Thereafter, at step S335, method 5300 has the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the destination location on a return route to the origin locationafter the ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem by the object manipulation system.

In a further embodiment of method 5300, delivery authentication inputmay be provided by a facility node at the destination location. Forexample, in such a further embodiment of method 5300, the dispatchcommand may also include delivery authentication information related toan authorized facility node associated with the destination location. Assuch, method 5300 may include the step of receiving deliveryauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froman external wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly at the destination location. Accordingly, in thisembodiment of method 5300, step S325 may be implemented with the modularcargo storage system providing selective access to the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system (e.g., at the control of theautonomous control system 3100 in MAM 1725) only when the deliveryauthentication input received correlates to the delivery authenticationinformation indicating that the external wireless node providing thedelivery authentication input is the authorized facility node.

In still another embodiment of method 5300, a remote delivery recipientmay be notified of the approaching delivery despite not being at thedestination location. For example, in such a further embodiment ofmethod 5300, the dispatch command may also include notificationinformation for a designated notification recipient for the ordereditem. As such, method 5300 may include the step of notifying, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the designated notificationrecipient for the ordered item using the notification information, thestep of notifying being triggered when the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information.

Consumer-to Store Use Cases—Returns

While the embodiments described above relate to store-to-consumerlogistics operations, further embodiments may have the consumer sendingsomething back to a supplier entity, such as a person that supplied theitem, a retail store where the item was purchased, or another businessentity where return of such an item may be arranged through thatbusiness entity. In such further embodiments, consumer-to-storelogistics operations may involve dispatched exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly. For example, an embodiment may have a retailerprovide a “return to local store” option within its normal returnsprocess flow for customers and items that fit transport parameters foran exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., distance to store, size andvalue of items, etc.). In this general embodiment, a customer may selectthe return option, print return documentation, and select a desired timefor return pickup (e.g., a 15 minute window/time for returns pickup).The return system with which the customer is interacting may thendispatch an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus from a logistics base at theretailer to coincide with the arrival window. The exemplary MALVT botapparatus receives return information from the dispatch system, embarksfrom the base and travel to the customer (or designated pickup site).The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may contact (e.g., viatext/email/phone call) customer on route to reconfirm and transmitalerts upon arrival. The customer may then authenticate delivery via anapp operating on the customer's user access device, e.g., via TRON nodeinteractions for association-based authenticated delivery, or viainteraction with the display screen on the MAM component. The customerthen loads return items and paperwork into the CSS component of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus thenreturns to the retailer's logistics base and alerts retail associateupon arrival (or as approaching) for timely assistance unloading &return processing. Aspects of TRON technology may be incorporated andleveraged for location, door & lock operation, elevator operation, andauthentication using the various nodes (e.g., different nodes embeddedin or in responsive communication with an actuated door, lock, orelevator) and node locating techniques described above.

FIG. 54 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method 5400for performing a dispatched consumer-to-store logistics operationrelated to an item being replaced and using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch serverin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. An embodiment ofmethod 5400 may use an embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 (as assembled or after an on-demand assembly) and adispatch server (e.g., server 4205, 4720). Exemplary modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly used (e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 5400is equipped with at least a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB1705) propelling the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, amodular auxiliary power module (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providingpower for exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargostorage system (e.g., exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarilymaintain what is transported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700, and a modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g.,exemplary MAM 1725) with its autonomous controller (e.g., autonomouscontrol system 3100) that autonomously controls operation of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 during method 5400.

Referring now to FIG. 54, exemplary method 5400 begins at step 5405 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a return operationdispatch command from the dispatch server. In one embodiment, the returnoperation dispatch command has at least identifier information on theitem being replaced, transport parameters on the item being replaced,designated pickup information related to pickup of the item beingreplaced, and pickup authentication information related to an authorizedsupplier of the item being replaced.

In a further embodiment, step 5405 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receiving a return order assignment message as the returnoperation dispatch command from a retail system (operating as thedispatch server) that received the return transaction order for the itembeing replaced. In such a further embodiment of step 5405, thedesignated pickup information related to the pickup of the item beingreplaced may include a pickup time and pickup date as selected in thereturn transaction order.

At step 5410, method 5400 proceeds with having the modular mobileautonomy control module verifying that each of the modular mobileautonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system arecompatible with the dispatched consumer-to-store return logisticsoperation based upon the dispatch command. Once verified in step 5410,method 5400 proceeds to step 5415 where the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causes the modular mobility base to movefrom an origin location on a route or path to a designated pickuplocation identified by the designated pickup information.

At step 5420, method 5400 proceeds with having the modular mobileautonomy control module notifying the authorized supplier of the itembeing replaced of an approaching pickup for the item being replaced oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the designated pickup location identified by thedesignated pickup information. This type of pre-pickup autonomouslytriggered notification of the entity providing the item being replacedmay be conducted in various ways. For example, notifying as part of step5420 may be implemented by generating a display alert for the authorizedsupplier of the item being replaced on a display on the modular mobileautonomy control module once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within the threshold notification range of the designatedpickup location identified by the designated pickup information. Inanother example, notifying as part of step 5420 may be implemented bygenerating an audio notification for the authorized supplier of the itembeing replaced on a speaker on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule (or other part of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly)once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the designated pickup location.

In still another example, notifying as part of step 5420 may beimplemented by transmitting a pickup notification message (e.g., a textmessage, an electronic mail message, and a phone call) to an externalwireless node (e.g., a smartphone) once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within the threshold notification range of thepickup location identified by the designated pickup information, wheresuch an external wireless node may be related to the authorized supplierof the item being replaced, a designated third party, or the like. Inyet another example, notifying as part of step 5420 may be implementedby transmitting a pickup notification message to such an externalwireless node after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly movesfrom the origin location and before reaching such a thresholdnotification range instead of or in addition to a subsequentnotification once within the threshold notification range. Such anotification may include an arrival estimate indicating an estimatedtime to arrive at the pickup location.

In an additional example, notifying as part of step 5420 may beimplemented by the modular mobile autonomy control module transmitting averification request to confirm pickup of the item being replaced to theauthorized supplier of the item being replaced. Such a verificationrequest may ask for a responsive confirmation that the item beingreplaced should be picked up by the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly at the designated pickup location. After transmitting theverification request, the modular mobile autonomy control module mayautonomously cause the modular mobility base to continue moving to thedesignated pickup location to complete the dispatched consumer-to-storereturn logistics operation unless the responsive confirmation from theauthorized supplier indicated that the item being replaced should not bepicked up at that designated pickup location or, alternatively, if aresponse indicates a changed designated pickup location.

At step 5425, method 5400 proceeds with receiving supplierauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma return entity disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly at the designated pickup location. The supplierauthentication input received may, for example, be provided by thereturn entity through a user input panel (e.g., input in the form of anaccess code or biometric input from the return entity) disposed on themodular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomycontrol module. Additionally, similar supplier authentication inputreceived may be provided by the return entity through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

An embodiment of step 5425 may have the pickup authenticationinformation including an identifier of the authorized supplier for theitem being replaced as part of the dispatched consumer-to-store returnlogistics operation. As such, receiving the supplier authenticationinput may involve, for example, the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule detecting an advertising signal as the supplier authenticationinput from an external wireless node within a predetermined range of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly has arrived at the designated pickup locationidentified by the designated pickup information; and then authenticatingthat the external wireless node is associated with the authorizedsupplier for the item being replaced within the modular cargo storagesystem based upon the identifier of the authorized supplier andidentifier information within the detected advertising signal broadcastfrom the external wireless node.

In another embodiment of step 545, the pickup authentication informationrelated to the dispatched consumer-to-store return logistics operationmay include an identifier of the authorized supplier for the item beingreplaced as part of the dispatched consumer-to-store return logisticsoperation. As such, the step of receiving the supplier authenticationinput may be implemented with the modular mobile autonomy control moduledetecting an unprompted advertising signal (e.g., not in response to aninterrogation signal from the bot) from an external wireless node withina predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at thedesignated pickup location identified by the designated pickupinformation; and establishing a secure association between the externalnode and the modular mobile autonomy control module after detecting theunprompted advertising signal from the external wireless node. Such asecure association between the external node and the modular mobileautonomy control module may reflect a logical permissive connection thatallows secure sharing of information between the external node and themodular mobile autonomy control module. Such a secure association may bepre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to the dispatchedconsumer-to-store return logistics operation.

At step 5430, method 5400 proceeds with having the modular cargo storagesystem providing selective access to a payload area within the modularcargo storage system only when the supplier authentication inputreceived correlates to the pickup authentication information indicatingthat the return entity providing the supplier authentication input isthe authorized supplier of the item being replaced.

At step 5435, method 5400 proceeds with having the modular mobileautonomy control module monitoring the loading of the item beingreplaced into the payload area of the modular cargo storage system usingone or more sensors on at least one of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module and the modular cargo storage system. As part of step5435, monitoring the loading may involve generating a log entry in acustodial inventory data structure maintained on the MAM of theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly when the item being replaced isdetected to be within the modular cargo storage system. Such a log entryin the custodial inventory data structure kept in memory of the MAMreflects the receipt of the item being replaced within the modular cargostorage system.

In a further embodiment of method 5400, monitoring step 5435 may also beimplemented by capturing sensor data from one or more of the sensors onat least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and themodular cargo storage system, and then detecting when the item beingreplaced is received within the modular cargo storage system based uponthe captured sensor data (e.g., using the captured sensor data as sensordata to be processed, and the processed sensor data indicating the itembeing replaced is located within the sensor range of the sensors and,thus, within the payload area of the modular cargo storage system). Forexample, the captured sensor data may be one or more visual images ofwhat is disposed within the modular cargo storage system.

In a more detailed further example, step 5435 may be implemented bygenerating barcode scan data related to item being replaced as the itemis received within the modular cargo storage system using a barcodescanner as one of the sensors, and processing the generated barcode scandata to monitor the ordered item as the ordered item is placed withinthe modular cargo storage system. In another more detailed furtherexample, step 5435 may be implemented by generating image data relatedto item being replaced as the item is received within the modular cargostorage system using a camera as one of the sensors, and processing thegenerated image data to monitor the ordered item as the ordered item isplaced within the modular cargo storage system. In still another moredetailed further example, step 5435 may be implemented by generatingvideo data related to item being replaced as the item is received withinthe modular cargo storage system using a video camera as one of thesensors, and processing the generated video data to monitor the ordereditem as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storagesystem. In yet another more detailed further example, step 5435 may beimplemented by capturing audio data using a microphone as one of thesensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to the modularcargo storage system as the item is received within the modular cargostorage system, and processing the captured audio data to monitor theordered item as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargostorage system.

In an additional example, step 5435 may be implemented by detectingmovement of a wireless node associated with the item being replaced asthe node-enabled item is received within the modular cargo storagesystem based upon signals broadcast from the wireless node associatedwith the item being replaced. For example, a signal strength of thesignals from the node-enabled item being replaced may peak above athreshold level when the item is received within the modular cargostorage system.

In an additional example, step 5435 may be implemented by detecting achange in location of a wireless node associated with the item beingreplaced from outside the modular cargo storage system to inside themodular cargo storage system as the node-enabled item being replaced isreceived within the modular cargo storage system as determined by themodular mobile autonomous control module. This may be accomplished usingnode location techniques described.

At step 5440, method 5400 proceeds with receiving, by the modular cargostorage system, the item being replaced in the payload area within themodular cargo storage system. Step 5430 of providing access, step 5435of monitoring the loading and step 5440 of receiving the item beingreplaced may be implemented in an overlapping manner so as to allowaccess for loading, monitoring the loading of the item being replaced aspart of receiving the item being replaced within the payload area.

In more detail, the loading that may be part of steps 5430-5440 mayinvolve actuated and other object manipulation systems deployed on theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly, such as actuated doors, joints,locks, sliding arms, grabbing arms, and the like. For example, step 5430of providing access may involve actuating, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, an actuated cargo door (e.g., door 1715)disposed on the modular auxiliary power module (or modular CSS 1720) toan open position, where the actuated cargo door provides a seal to thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system when the actuatedcargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door providesaccess to the payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in the open position. Actuating the door may,in some examples, involve actuating an actuated joint (e.g., a poweredhinge) on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargo door tomove from the closed position to the open position. In further examples,the actuated cargo door may have an electro-mechanical lock so thatproviding access in step 5430 may involve actuating such anelectro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuatedcargo door to unlock before moving from the closed position to the openposition as part of providing selective access to the payload area.

In a further example, step 5430 and/or step 5440 may involve actuating,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to move the item beingreplaced into the payload area within the modular cargo storage system.In still another example, step 5430 and/or step 5440 may involveactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedgrabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab andmove the item being replaced into the payload area within the modularcargo storage system as part of receiving the item being replaced.Further still, another example may have step 5430 and/or 5440 actuating,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem (or on the cargo door inner surface as a type of extended ramp),where the actuated belt surface causes the item being replaced on theactuated belt surface to move within the payload area as part ofreceiving the item being replaced.

At step 5445, method 5400 proceeds with having the modular cargo storagesystem also receiving return documentation provided by the authorizedsupplier of the item being return. The return documentation indicatingthe item being replaced is authorized to be returned in accordance witha return transaction order received by the dispatch server; and

At step 5450, the embodiment of method 5400 concludes with the modularmobile autonomy control module autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to move from the designated pickup location on a return route tothe origin location after the item being replaced is detected within themodular cargo storage system based upon monitoring the loading of theitem being replaced and after the return documentation is loaded withinthe modular cargo storage system with the item being replaced.

Further embodiments of method 5400 may further involve notifying uponapproaching the return to the origin location. For example, anembodiment of method 5400 may also include the step of notifying, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, a retail entity at the originlocation of an approaching delivery for the item being replaced once themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the origin location. In further example, anembodiment of method 5400 may also include the step of notifying, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, a retail entity at the originlocation and/or the authorized supplier about delivery of the item beingreplaced after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly arrives atthe origin location.

In more detailed embodiments of method 5400, the steps of 5415 and 5450may involve further detailed actions of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly when moving from one location to another. Forexample, an embodiment of step 5415 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the origin location to the designated pickup location whileinteracting with a wireless building facility node to actuate a pathwayobstacle (e.g., an actuated door controlled by the wireless buildingfacility node, an actuated elevator controlled by the wireless buildingfacility node, an actuated lock controlled by the wireless buildingfacility node, and the like) disposed in a path on the route to thedesignated pickup location. Interacting by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module with the wireless building facility node to actuate thepathway obstacle may, for example, involve establishing an authorizedassociation pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control moduleand the wireless building facility node based upon the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation; and causingthe wireless building facility node to actuate the pathway obstacleafter establishing the authorized association pairing between themodular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless buildingfacility node.

In further example embodiments of method 5400, the steps of 5415 and5450 may involve manual interactions with pathway obstacles. Forexample, an embodiment of step 5415 may involve autonomously causing themodular mobility base to move from the origin location to the designatedpickup location by having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the originlocation to the designated pickup location while manually/physicallyengaging a pathway obstacle (e.g., a manually actuated door, a manuallyactuated elevator, a manually actuated lock, and the like) disposed in apath on the route to the designated pickup location using one or morearticulating arms (e.g., arm 4325) disposed on the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly and using sensors disposed on at least one of themodular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module.Such manual engagement of the pathway obstacle using the articulatingarm and sensors may, in more detail, involve guiding, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the articulating arm to a controlelement of the pathway obstacle using one or more of the sensorsdisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module; and actuating the pathway obstacle, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, once the articulating armengages the control element of the pathway obstacle. Examples of such acontrol element for the pathway obstacle may include, but not be limitedto, a handle for the pathway obstacle, a button for the pathwayobstacle, a switch for the pathway obstacle, and/or a portion of acontrol panel for the pathway obstacle (e.g., a touch panel, a keypad,and the like).

Consumer-to Store Use Cases—Consumable & Warranty/Repair Swaps

While the embodiments described above relate to consumer-to-storelogistics operations, further embodiments may involve an exchange orswap of items that may be enhanced and improved with deploying anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. For example, a patient may be athome with home medical equipment (e.g., portable oxygen). The homemedical equipment may need refilling with some type of consumable itemswapped out, such as when the patient receives a full portable oxygentank from a supplier in exchange for the empty tank at the patient'shome. In such an embodiment, the supplier may dispatch an exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus to help with such an exchange. Deliveries may bescheduled and/or on an ad hoc schedule based on the needs of thepatient. Authentication needs may be dictated by patient/customer and/orsupplier company. For example, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus mayalert the patient/customer when it is dispatched and give an estimatedtime of arrival. The receiving patient/customer may then authenticatedelivery via an app operating on the recipient's user access device, viaTRON node interactions for association-based authenticated delivery, orvia interaction with the display screen on the MAM component. Thepatient or home care assistant at the patient's home may remove a fulltank from the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus and load the empty tank intothe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus for return trip. Such loading andunloading of items may be monitored by the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusto ensure cargo is securely in place prior to return to the supplier.The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be modified for easy collectionand deposit of medical equipment by customers. This may involvearticulated assist and manipulation of the swappable consumable (e.g.,oxygen tank, bed linens, and the like) being delivered and picked upfrom the patient/customer. Aspects of TRON technology may beincorporated and leveraged for location, proper door identification,door & lock operation, elevator operation, receipt for swapping, andauthentication using the various nodes (e.g., different nodes embeddedin or in responsive communication with an actuated door, lock, orelevator) and node locating techniques described above.

In another embodiment, such an exchange or swap may involve a warrantyor repair scenario. For example, a consumer may interact (in person oronline with a retail sales system) with a company to request areplacement for an item still under warranty by the company. In such anembodiment, the consumer may select an appropriate time of day for thereplacement to be delivered. The company may cause a dispatch system todispatch an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus from its facility to thecustomer's desired location (e.g., office, home, or mobile location(such as a vehicle)) with a replacement item inside. The customerreceives a notification of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus beingdispatched along with an estimated time of arrival. The exemplary MALVTbot apparatus arrives, and the consumer may then authenticate deliveryvia an app operating on the recipient's user access device, via TRONnode interactions for association-based authenticated delivery, or viainteraction with the display screen on the MAM component. As thecustomer unloads the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus may monitor unloading (e.g., making sure the replacementitem is unloaded from the CSS), may monitor loading thedamaged/malfunctioning item into the CSS of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus, and then the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus returns to thecompany's dispatch base alerting an associate (or system) for unloadingof the damaged/malfunctioning. Aspects of TRON technology may beincorporated and leveraged for location, door & lock operation, elevatoroperation, and authentication using the various nodes (e.g., differentnodes embedded in or in responsive communication with an actuated door,lock, or elevator) and node locating techniques described above.

FIG. 55 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method 5500for performing a dispatched swap or exchange related logistics operationrelated to an item being replaced that is swapped for a replacement itemand using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT botapparatus assembly) and a dispatch server in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Such an item being replaced and areplacement item may, for example, be consumable items that are put touse or otherwise consumed over time. An embodiment of method 5500 mayuse an embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (asassembled or after an on-demand assembly) and a dispatch server (e.g.,server 4205, 4720). Exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyused (e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 5500 is equipped with atleast a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary powermodule (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g.,exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what istransported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, anda modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) withits autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) thatautonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 during the dispatched swap logistics operation involvedwith method 5500.

Referring now to FIG. 55, exemplary method 5500 begins at step 5505 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a swap operationdispatch command from the dispatch server. The swap operation dispatchcommand includes at least identifier information on the item beingreplaced and identifier information on the replacement item, transportparameters on the item being replaced and the replacement item,designated pickup information related to swapping the item beingreplaced for the replacement item (e.g., a delivery time and deliverydate as selected in the swap transaction order), and pickupauthentication information related to an authorized delivery recipientof replacement item. In more detail, step 5505 may have the modularmobile autonomy control module receiving a replacement order message asthe swap operation dispatch command from a retail system that received aswap transaction order for the replacement item, where the retail systemmay be operating as the dispatch server relative to the dispatched swaplogistics operation.

At step 5510, method 5500 continues with verifying, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, that each of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with thedispatched swap logistics operation based upon the swap operationdispatch command.

At step 5515, method 5500 has the modular cargo storage system receivingthe replacement item in a payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem. In more detail, step 5515 may involve actuated devices and/orobject manipulation systems on the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly. For example, an embodiment of step 5515 may have the modularmobile autonomy control module actuating an actuated cargo door (e.g.,door 1715) disposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an openposition. As previously described, such an actuated cargo door providesa seal to the payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargodoor provides access to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in the open position. Inanother embodiment, step 5515 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating the actuated cargo door by actuating anactuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargodoor to move from the closed position to the open position. Furtherembodiments of step 5515 may have the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule actuating the actuated cargo door by actuating anelectro-mechanical lock (e.g., lock 2025) on the actuated cargo door tocause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from the closedposition to the open position. Still further embodiments of step 5515may receive the replacement item with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modularcargo storage system to move the item being replaced into the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system, and/or actuating anactuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tograb and move the item being replaced into the payload area within themodular cargo storage system as part of receiving the item beingreplaced. And in another embodiment of step 5515, the modular mobileautonomy control module may actuate an actuated belt surface disposed onthe modular auxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposedwithin the payload area inside the modular cargo storage system. Such anactuated belt surface causes the item as placed on the actuated beltsurface to move within the payload area as part of receiving the itembeing replaced.

At step 5520, method 5500 continues with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom an origin location on a route to a designated swap locationidentified by the designated pickup information.

At step 5525, method 5500 continues with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module notifying the authorized delivery recipient of thereplacement item of an approaching pickup for the item being replacedand delivery of the replacement item once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedesignated swap location identified by the designated pickupinformation. This type of pre-swap notification may take different formsin different embodiments. For example, step 5525 may involve notifyingby generating a display alert for the authorized delivery recipient ofthe replacement item on a display on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the designated swap location identifiedby the designated pickup information. In another example, step 5525 mayinvolve notifying by generating an audio notification for the authorizeddelivery recipient of the replacement item on a speaker on the modularmobile autonomy control module (or other component of the bot apparatusassembly) once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is withinthe threshold notification range of the designated swap locationidentified by the designated pickup information.

Still further embodiments of step 5525 may involve notifying an externalnetwork device or user access device (generally referred to as anexternal wireless node), such as a smartphone, laptop, tablet, and thelike. For example, step 5525 may implement the notifying step bytransmitting a delivery notification message (e.g., a text message, anelectronic mail message, and a phone call) to an external wireless nodeonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the designated swap location identifiedby the designated pickup information (or alternatively once the botapparatus assembly has moved from the origin location). In more detail,the external wireless node may be related to the authorized deliveryrecipient of the replacement item according to the designated pickupinformation or, alternatively to a designated third party authorized bythe authorized delivery recipient according to the designated pickupinformation. Such pre-swap notifications may include transmitting anarrival estimate to the external wireless node, where the arrivalestimate indicates an estimated time to arrive at the designated swaplocation.

In still another embodiment of step 5525, method 5500 may have themodular mobile autonomy control module transmitting a verificationrequest to confirm pickup of the item being replaced to the authorizeddelivery recipient of the replacement item. Such a verification requestasks for a responsive confirmation that the item being replaced shouldbe picked up by the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at thedesignated swap location. Thereafter, the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causes the modular mobility base to continuemoving to the designated swap location to complete the dispatched swaplogistics operation unless the responsive confirmation from theauthorized delivery recipient indicates that the item being replacedshould not be picked up at the designated swap location or may be pickedup at a redirected different swap location or at a different time (e.g.,due to changes in weather, changes in the availability of the deliveryrecipient, and the like), or unless the responsive confirmation from theauthorized delivery recipient indicates that the replacement item shouldnot be delivered at the designated swap location or may be delivered toa redirected swap location or at a different time.

At step 5530, method 5500 continues with receiving delivery recipientauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly at the designated swap location. Similar to thatnoted above regarding method 5100 (e.g., step S130), such deliveryrecipient authentication input may be received in ways, such asinvolving a user input panel on the bot apparatus (that may receive anaccess code and/or biometric input and/or voice input, and the like)and/or involving input provided wirelessly from an external wirelessnode that may provide similar types of authentication input from adelivery recipient operating the external wireless node. In more detail,for example, an embodiment of method 5500 may have the pickupauthentication information related to the dispatched swap logisticsoperation including an identifier of the authorized delivery recipientfor the replacement item as part of the dispatched swap logisticsoperation. As such, step 5530 in that embodiment may receive thedelivery recipient authentication input by having the modular mobileautonomy control module detecting an advertising signal as the deliveryrecipient authentication input from an external wireless node within apredetermined range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at thedesignated swap location identified by the designated pickupinformation; and authenticating that the external wireless node isassociated with the authorized delivery recipient for the item beingreplaced within the modular cargo storage system based upon theidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient and identifierinformation within the detected advertising signal broadcast from theexternal wireless node.

In another example, an embodiment of method 5500 may have the pickupauthentication information related to the dispatched swap logisticsoperation including an identifier of the authorized delivery recipientfor the replacement item as part of the dispatched swap logisticsoperation. As such, step 5530 in that embodiment may receive thedelivery recipient authentication input by having the modular mobileautonomy control module detecting an unprompted advertising signal froman external wireless node within a predetermined range of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the designated swap locationidentified by the designated pickup information; and establishing asecure association between the external node and the modular mobileautonomy control module after detecting the unprompted advertisingsignal from the external wireless node. In this embodiment, the secureassociation between the external node and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module allows secure sharing of information between the externalnode and the modular mobile autonomy control module and may bepre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to the dispatchedswap logistics operation.

At step 5535, method 5500 continues with the modular cargo storagesystem providing selective access to the payload area within the modularcargo storage system only when the delivery recipient authenticationinput received at least correlates to (or matches) relevant parts of thepickup authentication information indicating that the delivery recipientproviding the delivery recipient authentication input is the authorizeddelivery recipient of the replacement item.

At step 5540, method 5500 has the modular mobile autonomy control modulemonitoring an exchange of the replacement item from the payload area ofthe modular cargo storage system with the item being replaced using oneor more sensors on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule and the modular cargo storage system. In more detail, step 5540of monitoring the exchange of the replacement item from the payload areaof the modular cargo storage system with the item being replaced mayinvolve having the modular mobile autonomy control module monitoringunloading of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system using the one or more sensors on at least one ofthe modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo storagesystem; and monitoring the loading of the item being replaced into themodular cargo storage system using those sensors as the item beingreplaced is received into the payload area of the modular cargo storagesystem. Such monitoring as part of step 5540 may also include generatinga log entry in a custodial inventory data structure when the replacementitem is detected to be removed from the modular cargo storage system andthe item being replaced is detected to be within the modular cargostorage system. Such a log entry reflects the exchange of thereplacement item for the item being replacement and automaticallyprovides chain of custody documentation for the exchange.

In more detailed embodiments, step 5540 may monitor the exchange usingdifferent types of sensors and processing the data generated by suchsensors. For example, monitoring in step 5540 may involve capturingsensor data from the sensors on at least one of the modular mobileautonomy control module and the modular cargo storage system; anddetecting when the replacement item is removed from the modular cargostorage system and when the item being replaced is received within themodular cargo storage system based upon the captured sensor data (e.g.,as processed to identify the item being replaced and its relevantlocation). Such captured sensor data may, for example, be one or morevisual images of what is disposed within the modular cargo storagesystem.

In even more detail, an embodiment of monitoring in step 5540 mayinvolve generating barcode scan data related to the item being replacedand the replacement item as the item being replaced is swapped in forthe replacement item using a barcode scanner as one of the sensors, andprocessing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the item beingreplaced and the replacement item as the item being replaced is swappedin for the replacement item that is removed from within the modularcargo storage system.

In another example, an embodiment of monitoring in step 5540 may involvegenerating image data related to item being replaced and the replacementitem as the item being replaced is swapped in for the replacement itemthat is removed using a camera as one of the sensors, and processing thegenerated image data to monitor the item being replaced and thereplacement item as the item being replaced is swapped in for thereplacement item that is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem.

In still another example, an embodiment of monitoring in step 5540 mayinvolve generating video data related to item being replaced and thereplacement item as the item being replaced is swapped in for thereplacement item that is removed using a video camera as one of thesensors, and processing the generated video data to monitor the itembeing replaced and the replacement item as the item being replaced isswapped in for the replacement item that is removed from within themodular cargo storage system.

In yet another example, an embodiment of monitoring in step 5540 mayinvolve capturing audio data using a microphone as one of the sensorsdisposed to record sound within and proximate to the modular cargostorage system as the item being replaced is swapped in for thereplacement item that is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem; and processing the captured audio data to monitor the item beingreplaced and the replacement item as the item being replaced is swappedin for the replacement item that is removed from within the modularcargo storage system.

Monitoring of what is in the payload area of the modular cargo storagesystem as part of step 5540 may also involve detecting movement of awireless node associated with the item being replaces and/or replacementitem. For example, step 5540 of monitoring the exchange of thereplacement item from the payload area of the modular cargo storagesystem with the item being replaced may involve detecting movement of awireless node associated with the item being replaced as the item beingreplaced is swapped in for the replacement item being removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system based upon signals broadcastfrom the wireless node associated with the item being replaced. Inanother example, step 5540 may involve detecting movement of a wirelessnode associated with the replacement item as the replacement item isswapped out from within the modular cargo storage system for the itembeing replaced based upon signals broadcast from the wireless nodeassociated with replacement item.

Node locating techniques, as described in more detail above, may also bedeployed as part of an embodiment of monitoring in step 5540. Forexample, step 5540 of monitoring the exchange of the replacement itemfrom the payload area of the modular cargo storage system with the itembeing replaced may involve detecting a change in location of a wirelessnode associated with the item being replaced from a location outside themodular cargo storage system to the payload area as the item beingreplaced is swapped for the replacement item that is removed from withinthe modular cargo storage system as determined by the modular mobileautonomous control module. And in another example, step 5540 may involvedetecting a change in location of a wireless node associated with thereplacement item from inside the modular cargo storage system to outsidethe modular cargo storage system as the item being replaced is swappedin for the replacement item that is removed from within the modularcargo storage system as determined by the modular mobile autonomouscontrol module.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments involvingmonitoring the payload area of the modular cargo storage system may usemultiple types of sensors, as described above, as part of suchmonitoring of the payload contents of the modular cargo storage system.Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that embodimentsinvolving monitoring the payload area of the modular cargo storagesystem may also use a combination of sensor-based monitoring in concertwith wireless node signal-based monitoring as described above.

At step 5545, method 5500 concludes with autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the designated swap location on a return route to the originlocation after the item being replaced is detected to be within themodular cargo storage system based upon the monitored loading of theitem being replaced.

In further embodiments, method 5500 may also include sendingnotifications when approaching the return to the origin location and/orupon arrival back at the origin location. For example, a furtherembodiment of method 5500 may have the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule notifying a retail entity at the origin location of anapproaching return delivery of the item being replaced once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notificationrange of the origin location. In another example, an embodiment ofmethod 5500 may have the modular mobile autonomy control modulenotifying the retail entity at the origin location about delivery of theitem being replaced after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyarrives at the origin location.

In still further embodiments of method 5500, the steps 5520 and 5545 ofautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move between locationsmay involve interacting with facility nodes and pathway obstaclessimilar to that described above with respect to more detailedembodiments of method 5400 as it relates to step 5415 and 5450.

Additionally, further embodiments of method 5500 may involve moredetails related to providing access to the modular cargo storage systemin step 5535 and the exchange unloading/loading that follows. Forexample, an embodiment of method 5500 may, after the providing step5535, include the step of unloading, by the modular cargo storagesystem, the replacement item from within the payload area of the modularcargo storage system and loading the item being replaced into thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system. This may, forexample, have the steps of unloading the replacement item and loadingthe item being replaced having the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule actuating an actuated cargo door disposed on the modularauxiliary power module to an open position (e.g., via an actuated jointon the door) once the delivery recipient authentication input correlatesto a portion of the pickup authentication information related to thedispatched swap logistics operation. Actuating the actuated cargo doormay, in other examples, involve actuating an electro-mechanical lock onthe actuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargo door to unlockbefore moving from the closed position to the open position.

In more detail, additional embodiments of method 5500 may implement thestep of unloading the replacement item with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modularcargo storage system to move the replacement item out from the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system and loading the item beingreplaced by actuating the actuated sliding arm disposed on the modularcargo storage system to move the item being replaced into the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system.

Additional embodiments of method 5500 may further implement the step ofunloading the replacement item by having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating an actuated grabbing arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to grab and move the replacement item outfrom the payload area within the modular cargo storage system andloading the item being replaced by actuating the actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to move the item beingreplaced into the payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

Different types of actuated belt surfaces may also be used to remove thereplacement item from the payload area and to place the item beingreplaced back in the payload area. For example, an embodiment of method5500 may implement the step of unloading the replacement item by havingthe modular mobile autonomy control module actuating an actuated beltsurface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movablesupport surface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargostorage system, where the actuated belt surface causes the replacementitem as placed on the actuated belt surface to move out from within thepayload area. In like manner, loading the item being replaced may havethe modular mobile autonomy control module actuating the actuated beltsurface to cause the item being replaced as placed on the actuated beltsurface to move into the payload area.

In still further embodiments of method 5500, there may be differenttypes of designated swap locations used. For example, an embodiment ofmethod 5500 may have the designated swap location being a fixed addresswhere the authorized delivery recipient receives the replacement itemand provides the item being replaced within the mobile cargo storagesystem as part of dispatched swap logistics operation. However, inanother example, the designated swap location may be a mobile locationwhere the authorized delivery recipient receives the replacement itemand provides the item being replaced within the mobile cargo storagesystem as part of dispatched swap logistics operation. Such a mobilelocation may be defined by the designated pickup information as alocation of an external wireless mobile node being related to theauthorized delivery recipient, and where the location of the externalwireless mobile node may be determined with location data provided bythe node and/or node locating techniques as described above in moredetail.

Additional embodiments of method 5500 may also send alerts for removalassistance when the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly returns backto the origin location with the item being replaces. For example, anembodiment of method 5500 may include the step of transmitting, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an unload assistance request tothe retail entity once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly iswithin a threshold notification range of the origin location or afterthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly arrives at the originlocation.

Roundtrip Use Cases—Diagnostic/Treatment

In another embodiment, a customer who does not feel well may contact apharmacy or medical clinic and describe their symptoms. Based uponcustomer's description of symptoms, the pharmacy/clinic may narrow theirdiagnosis to a small number of potential ailments. A clinicnurse/pharmacy tech may put together a particular type of diagnosis kitspecific to the customer and their symptoms, and place it in anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatusreceives information related to the loaded diagnosis kit (includingcustomer identification information and address/location information)and carries the diagnosis kit to customer's location (e.g., home,office, vehicle, etc.). The customer may then authenticate delivery viaan app operating on the recipient's user access device, via TRON nodeinteractions for association-based authenticated delivery, or viainteraction with the display screen on the MAM component. The displayscreen on the MAM component may give instructions for customer who thenconducts a sample/diagnostic test (e.g., swabs a relevant tissue from aswab kit in the diagnosis kit or other home diagnostic test that is partof the diagnosis kit sent by the pharmacy/clinic) and returns the kitand sample inside the waiting exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. Theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus then returns swab/diagnosis kit to thepharmacy/clinic. The pharmacy/clinic uses sample obtained with theswab/diagnosis kit to finalize diagnosis and determine an appropriatetreatment, consults with patient, and agrees upon a course of action.The pharmacy/clinic may then load treatment into the exemplary MALVT botapparatus (e.g., could include not only prescription medication, medicalsupplies, but also tissues, food, heating pad, etc.). The customer thenreceives a notification that the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus has beendispatched again with the treatment load along with an estimated time ofarrival. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus delivers treatment load tothe customer, who may then authenticate delivery via an app operating onthe recipient's user access device, via TRON node interactions forassociation-based authenticated delivery, or via interaction with thedisplay screen on the MAM component. The display screen of the MAMcomponent may also offer any instructions or additional information forthe customer. The display screen can also be leveraged as a warning ofbiological or hazardous contents of the cargo. As the customer unloadsthe treatment load from the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus may monitor unloading and ensure that all contentshave been removed, and then the bot apparatus may return to thepharmacy/retail location. Enhanced security, recorded transactionrecords (e.g., automatic video/audio recorded loading/unloading), andmulti-factor authentication (e.g., two factor/biometric) may be requiredgiven the chain of custody needs and the biological nature of the cargo.Ease of disinfection will be enhanced with modular swapped in and outself-contained CSS components that can be separately disinfected whileanother CSS component may be quickly used with the rest of the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus. TRON elements and locating techniques may beleveraged for location needs as well as authentication implementations.

FIGS. 56A-56B are parts of a flow diagram of an embodiment of anexemplary method 5600 for performing an medical related dispatchedlogistics operation involving a diagnosis kit for treating a patient andusing a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (MALVT bot apparatusassembly) and an dispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. An embodiment of method 5600 may use an embodiment ofexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (as assembled or after anon-demand assembly) and a dispatch server (e.g., server 4205, 4720).Exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly used (e.g., assembly1700) as part of method 5600 is equipped with at least a modularmobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary power module (e.g.,exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g., exemplary CSS 1720)configured to temporarily maintain what is transported within theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, and a modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) with its autonomouscontroller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) that autonomouslycontrols operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700during method 5600.

Referring now to FIG. 56A, exemplary method 5600 begins at step S605with the modular mobile autonomy control module receiving a dispatchcommand from the dispatch server. In step S605, the dispatch command isinitiated by a medical entity providing the diagnosis kit, and thedispatch command includes at least identifier information on thediagnosis kit, transport parameters on the diagnosis kit, destinationdelivery information related to delivery of the diagnosis kit, anddelivery authentication information related to an authorized deliveryrecipient of the diagnosis kit. Such an authorized delivery recipientmay, for example, be the patient to be treated with the diagnosis kit oran authorized agent of the patient to be treated with the diagnosis kit(e.g., a parent of the patient, medical personnel authorized to treatthe patient, and the like).

At step S610, method 5600 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module verifying that each of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with thedispatched medical logistics operation based upon the dispatch command.As noted above, such a verification process may have the modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) interacting with eachof the other modular components (e.g., the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system) tomake the verification determination (i.e., a type of authentication ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly) or may have the modularmobile autonomy control module receiving results ofcomponent-to-component authentication performed when proximate modularcomponents of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly are puttogether when building the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly forthe dispatched medical logistics operation.

At step S615, method 5600 proceeds with receiving, by the modular cargostorage system, the diagnosis kit in a payload area within the modularcargo storage system at an origin location related to the medicalentity. Such an origin location may be a bot storage location at themedical entity (e.g., a hospital, clinic, and the like).

As part of step S615, an embodiment of method 5600 may implement moredetailed ways to receive the diagnosis kit in the payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system using actuated and articulating systemsthat allow the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly improved andenhance loading of the diagnosis kit. For example, an embodiment of stepS615 may receive the diagnosis kit with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating an actuated cargo door disposed on the modularauxiliary power module to an open position, where the actuated cargodoor provides a seal to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in a closed position andthe actuated cargo door provides access to the payload area within themodular cargo storage system when the actuated cargo door is in the openposition. Actuating such an actuated cargo door may, in some examples,involve actuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to causethe actuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition, and/or actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuatedcargo door to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving fromthe closed position to the open position.

In a further example, an embodiment of step S615 may receive thediagnosis kit with the modular mobile autonomy control module actuatingan actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tomove the diagnosis kit into the payload area within the modular cargostorage system and/or actuating an actuated grabbing arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to grab and move the diagnosis kit into thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system as part ofreceiving the diagnosis kit.

Further still, another embodiment of step S615 may have the modularmobile autonomy control module actuating an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem. Such an actuated belt surface, when operating, may cause thediagnosis kit as placed on the actuated belt surface to move within thepayload area as part of receiving the diagnosis kit.

At step S620, method 5600 continues and has the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the origin location on a route to a destination location identifiedby the destination delivery information.

At step S625, method 5600 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module notifying the authorized delivery recipient of thediagnosis kit of an approaching delivery once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information. Such anotification may be implemented in a variety of ways as part of stepS625. For example, step S625 may notify the authorized deliveryrecipient of the diagnosis kit of the approaching delivery by generatinga display alert for the authorized delivery recipient on a display onthe modular mobile autonomy control module; by generating an audionotification for the authorized delivery recipient on a speaker on themodular mobile autonomy control module; by transmitting a deliverynotification message to the delivery recipient's external wireless nodeonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information, and/or by transmitting a deliverynotification message to an external wireless node after the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly moves from the origin location, theexternal wireless node being related to the authorized deliveryrecipient according to the destination delivery information. Suchnotifications may include an arrival estimate indicating an estimatedtime to arrive at the destination location.

At step S630, method 5600 proceeds with receiving delivery recipientauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly at the destination location. Embodiments of method5600 may have the modular mobile autonomy control module receiving thedelivery recipient authentication input in different forms and throughdifferent ways. For example, an embodiment of step S630 may have thedelivery recipient authentication input received by the modular mobileautonomy control module being provided by the delivery recipient througha user input panel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatuscoupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., with anaccess code and/or biometric input provided through the user inputpanel) or being provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly (e.g., with an access code and/or biometric input providedthrough an app on the external wireless node).

In still another example, an embodiment of method 5600 may haveauthentication information for the medically related dispatchedoperation including an identifier of the authorized delivery recipientfor the diagnosis kit as part of the dispatched medical logisticsoperation. As such, step S630 may be receiving the delivery recipientauthentication input by having the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule detecting an advertising signal as the delivery recipientauthentication input from an external wireless node within apredetermined range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at thedestination location identified by the destination information; andauthenticating that the external wireless node is associated with theauthorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system based upon the identifier of the authorizeddelivery recipient and identifier information within the detectedadvertising signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

In yet another example, an embodiment of method 5600 may also haveauthentication information related to the dispatched medical logisticsoperation including an identifier of the authorized delivery recipientfor the diagnosis kit as part of the dispatched operation. And as such,step S630 may be implemented by having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module detecting an unprompted advertising signal from anexternal wireless node within a predetermined range of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the destination location identified bythe destination information; and establishing a secure associationbetween the external node and the modular mobile autonomy control moduleafter detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the externalwireless node, the secure association between the external node and themodular mobile autonomy control module allowing secure sharing ofinformation between the external node and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module and being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as itrelates to the dispatched inventory operation.

At step S635, method 5600 proceeds with the modular cargo storage systemproviding selective access to the diagnosis kit within the modular cargostorage system only when the delivery recipient authentication inputcorrelates to the delivery authentication information indicating thatthe delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient authenticationinput is the authorized delivery recipient.

An embodiment of method 5600 may also involve unloading the diagnosiskit from within the payload area of the modular cargo storage system.This, for example, may be done manually in general after gaining accessto the payload area, but in other examples unloading the diagnosis kitmay involve the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly actuating devicesand/or articulating parts of an object manipulation system deployedonboard the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. For example,unloading of the diagnosis kit may involve the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating an actuated cargo door (e.g., door 1715 usingactuated joint 2020) disposed on the modular auxiliary power module (orCSS) to an open position once the delivery recipient authenticationinput correlates to a portion of the authentication information relatedto the dispatched logistics operation; actuating an electro-mechanicallock on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargo door tounlock before moving from the closed position to the open position;actuating an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem to move the diagnosis kit out from the payload area within themodular cargo storage system; and/or actuating an actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab and move thediagnosis kit out from the payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem. Further still, unloading of the diagnosis kit may also have themodular mobile autonomy control module actuating an actuated beltsurface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movablesupport surface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargostorage system to cause the diagnosis kit as placed on the actuated beltsurface to move out from within the payload area.

At step S640, method 5600 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module monitoring unloading of the diagnosis kit from within themodular cargo storage system using one or more sensors on at least oneof the modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargostorage system. In more detail, such monitoring of unloading thediagnosis kit may be accomplished by capturing sensor data from thesensors on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control moduleand the modular cargo storage system, and detecting when the diagnosiskit is removed based upon the captured sensor data (such as when thesensor data is processed to identify the diagnosis kit and itsmovements).

In even more detail, such monitoring unloading of the diagnosis kit mayinvolve generating barcode scan data related to the diagnosis kit as thediagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage systemusing a barcode scanner as one of the sensors; and processing thegenerated barcode scan data to monitor the diagnosis kit as thediagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage system.In another detailed example, monitoring unloading of the diagnosis kitmay involve generating image data related to the diagnosis kit as thediagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage systemusing an image sensor as one of the sensors; and processing thegenerated image data to monitor the diagnosis kit as the diagnosis kitis removed from within the modular cargo storage system. Another examplemay implement such monitoring by generating video data related to thediagnosis kit as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the modularcargo storage system using a video camera as one of the sensors; andprocessing the generated video data to monitor the diagnosis kit as thediagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage system.Further still, in yet another example, monitoring unloading may beaccomplished by capturing audio using a microphone as one of the sensorsdisposed to record sound within and proximate to the modular cargostorage system as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the modularcargo storage system; and processing the captured audio data to monitorthe diagnosis kit as the diagnosis kit is removed from within themodular cargo storage system.

In other embodiments of method 5600, step S640 may have the diagnosiskit including a wireless mobile node (such as an ID node or master node,where the node is attached to the kit, incorporated within the kit,integrated as part of the packaging of the kit, is simply disposed withthe node as they are transported together as a unit). As such, the stepof monitoring unloading of the diagnosis kit in step S640 may beimplemented by detecting movement of the wireless mobile node disposedwith the diagnosis kit as the diagnosis kit is removed from within themodular cargo storage system based upon a plurality of signals broadcastfrom the wireless mobile node disposed with the diagnosis kit. Inanother example, monitoring unloading of such a node-enabled diagnosiskit may involve detecting a change in location of the wireless mobilenode disposed with the diagnosis kit to outside the modular cargostorage system as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the modularcargo storage system as determined by the modular mobile autonomouscontrol module.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with the various mannersin which step S640 may monitor the unloading of the diagnosis kit,further embodiments may combine the different types of sensors and/oruse of wireless nodes with the diagnosis kit to implement step S640 withan assessment of different types of processed sensor data and/ordifferent monitored signals and locations of a node-enabled diagnosiskit when monitoring such unloading activity.

At step S645, method 5600 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module notifying the authorized delivery recipient of thediagnosis kit of instructional information related to prescribed use ofthe diagnosis kit. As such, the instruction information may beprescribed medical instructions for authorized medical personneltreating the patient using the transported diagnosis kit. According, asthe diagnosis kit is removed (as monitored in step S640), exemplary MAM1725 may be triggered to issue or otherwise provide the instructionalinformation related to the particular prescribed use of the diagnosiskit for the particular patient, which may be accomplished in severalways. For example, step S645 may notify the authorized deliveryrecipient of the diagnosis kit of the instructional information bygenerating a display alert message (including the instructioninformation) for the authorized delivery recipient on a display (e.g.,display 2815 a, 2815 b) on the modular mobile autonomy control module;by generating an audio alert message (including audible instructions asthe instruction information) for the authorized delivery recipient usinga speaker on the modular mobile autonomy control module; or having themodular mobile autonomy control module transmit an instructional messageto an external wireless node related to the authorized deliveryrecipient according to the destination delivery information, where theinstructional message includes or otherwise reflects the instructionalinformation related to the prescribed use of the diagnosis kit. Fromstep S645 shown on FIG. 56A, method 5600 proceeds through transition Ato step S650 shown on FIG. 56B.

Referring now to FIG. 56B, method 5600 proceeds with step S650 havingthe modular mobile autonomy control module detecting when at least areturn item related to the diagnosis kit is located in the payload areaof the modular cargo storage system using the one or more sensors. Sucha return item may, for example, be one or more parts of the diagnosiskit used by the patient or one or more parts of the diagnosis kit stillin its packaging and not used. In still another embodiment, such areturn item related to the diagnosis kit may be a testing part of thediagnosis kit used by the patient as part of a medical test (e.g., atest strip indicating test results of heart testing, one or more bloodvials drawn from the patient, images captured as part of the test usingthe test kit, and the like). In more detail, an embodiment may have sucha testing part of the diagnosis kit used by the patient as part of themedical test being a sample from the patient gathered according to theinstructional information related to the prescribed use of the diagnosiskit. Such a sample (e.g., blood) may then be part of the return item(e.g., blood within sealed vials) transported by the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly back to the origin location for analysis by themedical entity.

As part of step S650 (or as a separate step), method 5600 may moreexplicitly have the modular cargo storage system receiving the returnitem related to the diagnosis kit in the payload area within the modularcargo storage system at the destination location. For example, receivingthe return item related to the diagnosis kit may have the modular mobileautonomy control module actuating an actuated sliding arm disposed onthe modular cargo storage system to move the diagnosis kit's return iteminto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system; actuatingan actuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tograb and move the diagnosis kit's return item into the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system as part of receiving thediagnosis kit's return item; and/or actuating, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem to cause the diagnosis kit's return item as placed on theactuated belt surface to move within the payload area as part ofreceiving the return item.

As part of an embodiment of step S650 that detects when the diagnosiskit's return item is loaded, a further embodiment may have the modularmobile autonomy control module monitoring loading of the return itemrelated to the diagnosis kit from within the modular cargo storagesystem using the one or more sensors. In one example, this step ofmonitoring the loading of the diagnosis kit's related return item mayinvolve generating barcode scan data related to the return item as thereturn item is placed within the modular cargo storage system using abarcode scanner as one of the sensors 3130, and processing the generatedbarcode scan data to monitor the return item as the return item isplaced within the modular cargo storage system. In another example, thisstep of monitoring the loading of the diagnosis kit's related returnitem may involve generating image data related to the return item as thereturn item is placed within the modular cargo storage system using animage sensor as one of the sensors 3130, and processing the generatedimage data to monitor the return item as the return item is placedwithin the modular cargo storage system. In still another example, thisstep of monitoring the loading of the diagnosis kit's related returnitem may involve generating video data related to the return item as thereturn item is placed within the modular cargo storage system using avideo camera as one of the sensors 3130, and processing the generatedvideo data to monitor the return item as the return item is placedwithin the modular cargo storage system. In yet another example, thisstep of monitoring the loading of the diagnosis kit's related returnitem may involve capturing audio data using a microphone as one of thesensors 3130 disposed to record sound within and proximate to themodular cargo storage system as the return item is placed within themodular cargo storage system, and processing the captured audio data tomonitor the ordered item as the ordered item is placed within themodular cargo storage system.

In further examples with such monitored loading of the return item, thereturn item itself may include or otherwise be transported with its ownwireless mobile node (similar to that described above for the diagnosiskit). As such, monitoring loading of the return item may involvedetecting movement of the wireless mobile node disposed with the returnitem as the return item is placed within the modular cargo storagesystem based upon a plurality of signals broadcast from the wirelessmobile node disposed with the return item; and/or detecting a change inlocation of the wireless mobile node disposed with the return item tooutside the modular cargo storage system as the return item is placedwithin the modular cargo storage system as determined by the modularmobile autonomous control module.

At step S655, method 5600 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the destination location on a return route to the origin locationrelated to the medical entity after the return item related to thediagnosis kit is detected within the modular cargo storage system.

At step S660, method 5600 concludes with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module notifying personnel associated with the medical entityabout the return delivery of the return item related to the diagnosiskit when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is at leastwithin a return notification range of the origin location and/or oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at the originlocation. In this way, the notified personnel are proactively informedof the impending and/or actual arrival of the return item and canappropriately receive and unload the return item.

In some further embodiments of method 5600, chain of custody steps maybe taken using the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus. For example, method5600 may also have the modular mobile autonomy control module generatinga first inventory data structure corresponding to the diagnosis kit.Such an inventory data structure (e.g., which may be stored as a type ofprofile data by autonomous control system 3100 on exemplary MAM 1725 forthe particular dispatched medical logistics operation) may be generatedupon detecting the diagnosis kit as received within the payload area,where the first inventory data structure includes different chain ofcustody entries. For example, the first inventory data structure mayinclude a first chain of custody entry reflecting departure from theorigin location for the diagnosis kit while in the custody of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. In a further example, themodular mobile autonomy control module may generate a second chain ofcustody entry within the first inventory data structure after arrival atthe destination location (where the second chain of custody reflectsarrival at the destination location for delivery of the diagnosis kitfrom the custody of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly). Instill a further example, the modular mobile autonomy control module maygenerate a third chain of custody entry within the first inventory datastructure after arrival at the destination location and after detectingthe diagnosis kit has been removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem (where the third chain of custody reflects the diagnosis kitchanging custody to the authorized delivery recipient from the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly). Likewise, the modular mobileautonomy control module may generate a fourth chain of custody entrywithin the first inventory data structure after arrival at thedestination location and after detecting the return item has been placedwithin the modular cargo storage system (where the fourth chain ofcustody reflects at least the return item of the diagnosis kit changingcustody from the authorized delivery recipient to the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly).

Additional embodiments of method 5600 may also include steps ofunloading the return item at the origin location related to the medicalentity. For example, an embodiment of method 5600 may include the stepof providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access tothe return item within the modular cargo storage system when medicalentity personnel submits return item authentication input to the modularmobile autonomy control module that correlates to a portion of thedelivery authentication information indicating return itemauthentication information for the return item. Furthermore, such anembodiment of method 5600 may also include having the modular mobileautonomy control module monitoring unloading of the return item fromwithin the modular cargo storage system using one or more sensors (e.g.,on or more payload monitoring sensors 3130) and autonomously causing themodular mobility base to move to a bot storage location after the returnitem is detected as being removed from within the payload area of themodular cargo storage system using the one or more sensors. Such afurther embodiment of method 5600 may also involve having the modularmobile autonomy control module transmitting a module replacement requestto the dispatch server, the modular replacement request initiating areplacement of the modular cargo storage system for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly. For example, such a modularreplacement request may initiate a disinfection process of one or moreof the modular components of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly(e.g, the modular cargo storage system) after the return item has beenremoved from within the payload area of the modular cargo storagesystem.

In a further embodiment where the return item has been unloaded, anembodiment of method 5600 may also send treatment material back to thepatient based upon testing of the return item. For example, in such afurther embodiment, method 5600 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receiving a follow-up dispatch command from the dispatchserver for a follow-up dispatched medical logistics operation. Thefollow-up dispatch command is initiated by the medical entity aftertesting related to the return item and the patient, and may include atleast identifier information on treatment material to be delivered tothe authorized delivery recipient as a result of the testing related tothe return item and the patient, transport parameters on the treatmentmaterial, and destination delivery information related to delivery ofthe treatment material. In this further embodiment of method 5600, mayalso have the modular mobile autonomy control module verifying that eachof the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and a disinfected replacementfor the modular cargo storage system are compatible with the follow-updispatched medical logistics operation based upon the follow-up dispatchcommand; receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the treatmentmaterial in the payload area within the disinfected replacement for themodular cargo storage system at the origin location related to themedical entity; and autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base to move from the originlocation back to the destination location identified by the destinationdelivery information for delivery of the treatment material (which maybe different from the location where the diagnosis kit was delivered).Further, such an embodiment of method 5600 may continue with the modularmobile autonomy control module notifying the authorized deliveryrecipient an approaching delivery of the treatment material; receivingdelivery recipient authentication input by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module from the delivery recipient disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the destination location;coordinating with the modular cargo storage system to provide selectiveaccess to the treatment material within the modular cargo storage systemonly when the delivery recipient authentication input correlates to thedelivery authentication information indicating that the deliveryrecipient providing the delivery recipient authentication input is theauthorized delivery recipient; monitoring unloading of the treatmentmaterial using one or more sensors on at least one of the modular mobileautonomy control module and the disinfected replacement for the modularcargo storage system; and then autonomously causing, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move fromthe destination location to the origin location after the treatmentmaterial is no longer detected within the payload area within thedisinfected replacement for the modular cargo storage system.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that embodiments ofmethod 5600 may have the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly used inmethod 5600 navigating and interacting with different pathway obstacleswhen moving from the origin location to the destination location. Forexample, step S620 of autonomously causing the modular mobility base tomove from the origin location to the destination location may beimplemented with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the origin location tothe destination location while interacting with a wireless buildingfacility node to actuate a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on theroute to the destination location (e.g., an actuated door controlled bythe wireless building facility node, an actuated elevator controlled bythe wireless building facility node, an actuated lock controlled by thewireless building facility node, and the like). In more detail, suchinteractions with the wireless building facility node to actuate thepathway obstacle may involve establishing an authorized associationpairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and thewireless building facility node based upon the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation (e.g., a tracked an authorized logically persistent pairing asreflected by locally generated association data on the MAM), and causingthe wireless building facility node to actuate the pathway obstacleafter establishing the authorized association pairing.

In further embodiments where pathway obstacles may not be controlled oractuated wirelessly, embodiments of method 5600 may have moving from theorigin location to the destination location involve manual interactionsby the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly and such pathwayobstacles. For example, step S620 of autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the origin location to the destinationlocation may have the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the originlocation to the destination location while engaging a pathway obstacledisposed in a path on the route to the destination location using anarticulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly and using sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module. Suchmanually manipulated pathway obstacles may include, for example, amanually actuated door, a manually actuated elevator, a manuallyactuated lock, or a manually actuated control panel for the pathwayobstacle. In more detail, engaging the pathway obstacle using thearticulating arm and sensors may involve, for example, guiding, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the articulating arm to acontrol element of the pathway obstacle using one or more of thesensors; and actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, once the articulating arm engages the controlelement of the pathway obstacle. Such a pathway obstacle control elementmay, for example, be a handle for the pathway obstacle, a button for thepathway obstacle, a switch for the pathway obstacle, or a portion of acontrol panel for the pathway obstacle.

Courier Bot Assistant (Hand Cart & Freight)

Further embodiments may involve and deploy an alternative cart-versionof an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly (referred to herein as amodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly) where such an assembly maybe deployed to assist a courier in distributing items being transportedas part of an exemplary logistics operation (e.g., delivery, pickup,transfer, and the like as described herein). In general, such anembodiment may use the exemplary modular mobility base component of anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly as the basis for a speciallyconfigured type of improved and enhanced hand cart with a handle thathas a small sensing “hat” on top of the handle to help couriers who arecarrying large amounts of objects. In a general example, an exemplarysensing hat on the handle provides further proximity and trackingsensors (similar to the autonomy module sensors 2810 on exemplary MAM1725) to those disposed on the MB component itself, and provides control(similar to what exemplary MAM 1725 would provide) for the propulsionand steering system in the modular mobility base component. Such sensorsmay include, for example, multiple cameras, computer vision sensors, andmapping sensors (e.g., LiDAR/radar) so that this specially outfitted MBunit can track the courier while the courier is moving; predict & followmovement of the courier; detect, classify, and avoid objects (fixedand/or moving) while navigating; separately recognize and temporarilyoperate as a manual cart (with and without objects) so as to hover whilethe courier is making deliveries; and autonomously move and follow themoving courier with the additional objects to be delivered withoutburdening the courier.

An embodiment of an exemplary sensing hat (more generally referred to asa modular mobile cart autonomy control module) may include all featuresof an exemplary MAM 1725 but in a different form factor, and provide upto full autonomous operation with the addition of “follow-me” mode ofthe courier, another cart, and/or a vehicle. The cart handle (where theexemplary sensing hat is featured) may also allow localized humanguidance should conditions such as regulatory limitations, or failure tosense require human intervention and interaction. In this situation, theexemplary sensing hat provides for an override capability based uponlocalize human input for this special type of improved and enhanced handcart. In such a situation, the exemplary enhanced hand cart may functionas a motor-assisted cart, guided by the local operator albeit in atemporary mode before switching back to an autonomous mode that followsthe courier without any manual burden on the courier.

In a further embodiment, the exemplary enhanced hand cart may beinstructed by a remote service networked device operated by a localoperator or courier. Such a remote service networked device may, forexample, be implemented as a master node communicating with an ID nodeor master node embedded as part of an exemplary sensing hat (e.g., theautonomous controller in the exemplary sensing hat similar to autonomouscontrol system 3100 in exemplary MAM 1725). The master node of theremote service networked device knows of or has determined a location ofthe ID node in such an exemplary sensing hat using TRON locatingtechniques described above or where the control system in the exemplarysensing hat has location circuitry (e.g., a GPS receiver) and is capableof self-locating (i.e., where the control system is implemented with amaster node that has built-in location circuitry). Such a remote servicenetworked device, more generally referred to as a wireless mobilecourier node, allows for communications of instructions between thelocal courier operating such a device and the exemplary enhanced handcart. Such instructions may be related to regulatory limitations, whichmay come in the form of attributes describing a limitation of use for atleast the exemplary enhanced hand cart based upon the cart's proximityto a location, geofence, or the like. In an embodiment, local operationof the exemplary enhanced hand cart may also include an awareness oflocal limiting factors as captured on the ground, such as by visualrecognition by sensors on the exemplary enhanced hand cart of ahazardous object, symbol, or sign (e.g., a tanker truck with gasolinehaving a hazardous material sign or explosive triangle visual symbol onthe truck or on a warning sign placed near the truck). With suchawareness, the exemplary enhanced hand cart (i.e., an exemplary modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly) may alter its course and speed incompliance with or to avoid issues with such local limiting factors.

FIG. 57A is a diagram of an exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring now to FIG. 57A, exemplary courier personnel 5755 is shownnext to exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700, whichis supporting items 5745 a, 5745 b as items being shipped that may, forexample, be involved in a logistics operation for pickup and/or deliverywhere the courier 5755 picks up or delivers such items as transported onexemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. Such itemsmay be conventional objects, packages, or items being transported aspart of such a logistics operation. In the illustrated embodiment,courier 5755 has possession of and operates exemplary courier mobilewireless node 5760, which may be implemented similar to that describedabove as a remote service networked devices (e.g., smartphone, table,and the like) or as node-based mobile user access device 3310. Forexample, exemplary courier mobile wireless node 5760 may be implementedas a master node with onboard location circuitry that identifies thecurrent location of the wireless mobile courier node. In more detail,courier mobile wireless node 5760 may be a master node traveling withcourier personnel 5755 as part of delivering an item being shipped(e.g., item 5745 a), where the master node includes onboard GPS locationcircuitry that identifies the current location of the wireless mobilecourier node 5760. In still other examples, the wireless mobile couriernode 5760 may be a master node disposed on a vehicle transportingcourier personnel tasked with delivering the item being shipped, whereinthe master node includes onboard location circuitry that identifies thecurrent location of the wireless mobile courier node. Further still, anexample may implement the wireless mobile courier node 5760 as a masternode disposed on another modular autonomous cart apparatus assemblywhere the master node on the other cart apparatus assembly has onboardlocation circuitry that identifies the current location of the wirelessmobile courier node 5760.

Exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 generallyincludes modular components that may be assembled ahead of time (withcomponent-to-component authentication) or assembled in an on-demandmanner with respect to a targeted dispatched logistics operation. Asshown in FIG. 57A, exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly5700 generally includes an exemplary modular mobility base 5705, anexemplary modular cart handle (e.g., comprised of handle grip 5710 andhandle base 5715) mounted to the base platform of the mobility base5705, and an exemplary modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725mounted to the cart handle. In general, the exemplary modular mobilecart autonomy control module 5725 (e.g., an exemplary “sensing hat”) maybe implemented as a specialized type of exemplary MAM 1725 and bedeployed as having the same components as exemplary MAM 1725 as shown inFIG. 31. In one example, exemplary modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 is shown in FIG. 57A with an exemplary autonomous controller5730 (e.g., an embodiment of which may be implemented similar toautonomous control system 3100) and payload monitoring sensors 5740(e.g., an embodiment of which may be implemented similar to sensors 3130or deployed in sensor pods detachably connected to the outside ofcontrol module 5725 so that such sensors 5740 may monitor what issupported on the base adapter plate of mobility based 5705). Suchpayload monitoring sensors 5740 may be mounted on the detachable modularhousing of control module 5725 so as to be focused and operative tomonitor a payload area on the mobility base platform on mobility base5705 where items 5745 a-5745 b are supported when the modular mobilitybase 5705 is moving.

However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that while not shownin FIG. 57A, exemplary modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725may also be implemented with an appropriately shaped detachable modularhousing, latching points for secure modular connections to the carthandle, displays, light panels, additional sensors (also referred to asautonomy module sensors that generate onboard sensor data about anenvironment external to the control module 5725), lights, a user inputpanel, a wireless transceiver, and location circuitry as describedrelative to exemplary MAM 1725.

FIG. 57B is a more detailed diagram of the exemplary modular autonomouscart apparatus assembly 5700 from FIG. 57A in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 57B, the generalcomponents of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700described above are shown in a separated configuration to better revealexemplary latching points 5770, 5785 (e.g., interlocking latches) andactuated latches 5775, 5780 that mate to the latching points duringassembly of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700.As shown in FIG. 57B, the embodiment of exemplary modular mobility base5705 is illustrated with exemplary common power and data conduit bus5790 c, exemplary mobility controller 5895 coupled to the bus 5790 c, aswell as an embodiment of latching points or latches 5785 disposed on thetop of mobility base 5705 (e.g., similar to latches 1855 but located ata point on the top of mobility base 5705 to appropriate mate with themodular cart handle). However, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat, while not shown in detail in FIG. 57B, exemplary modular mobilitybase 5705 may be implemented with essentially the same type ofcomponents as that described above for exemplary modular mobility base1705 in FIG. 18c (e.g., having a mobile base platform, alignmentinterfaces, latching elements, mobility controller, wheels, sensors,lights, steering system, propulsion system, wireless transceiver, commonpower and data conduit bus, and the like).

As shown in FIG. 57B, the embodiment of exemplary modular cart handleincludes exemplary handle grip 5710 and exemplary handle base 5715. Thehandle base 5715 has a top end and bottom end, with latches 5775 and5780 on both ends that may be actuated, for example, via actuation inresponse to signals from controller 5730 (similar to handle actuator2225 that actuates latches 2110 a, 2110 b in response to signals fromautonomous control system 3100) and/or via manual actuation with ahandle, lever, or other manual control element similar to the actuationof the latching elements shown and described on FIG. 22B using lockinghandle 2115. Exemplary handle base 5715, in such a way, may bedetachably connected to the exemplary mobility base 5705 and toexemplary modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 (via, forexample, an alignment seat 5720 for control module 5725 on the top endof handle base 5715). Further, exemplary handle base 5715 is shownhaving exemplary common power and data conduit bus 5790 b that connectswith aligned mated interfaces for bus 5790 a in the control module 5725and bus 5790 c in the mobility base 5705. Exemplary handle grip 5710 isshown extending from handle base 5715, but other embodiments of grip5710 may attached directly to mobility base 5705.

And as shown in FIG. 57B, exemplary modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 (e.g., an exemplary “sensing hat”) has exemplary autonomouscontroller 5730 (e.g., an embodiment of which may be implemented similarto autonomous control system 3100), exemplary payload monitoring sensors5740 (e.g., an embodiment of which may be implemented similar to sensors3130 or deployed in sensor pods detachably connected to the outside ofcontrol module 5725 so that such sensors 5740 may monitor what issupported on the base adapter plate of mobility based 5705), as well asan exemplary user input panel 5765 and latching points 5770 (e.g.,similar to points 5785) that mate to and/or interlock with actuatinglatching structure 5775. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat while not shown in FIG. 57B, exemplary modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module 5725 may also be implemented with an appropriately shapeddetachable modular housing, displays, light panels, additional autonomymodule sensors, lights, a wireless transceiver, and location circuitryas described relative to exemplary MAM 1725.

One or more items being shipped on assembly 5700 may also have a node(e.g., ID node, master node) disposed with an item (e.g., item 5745 b)that may associate with and securely communicate with autonomouscontroller 5730 as part of identifying the item, tracking the item,locating the item, and the like. For example, item 5745 b has a wirelessID node 5750 with (e.g., attached to, disposed within, integrated aspart of) item 5745 b. In such an example, the wireless ID node 5750 maymaintain shipping information on the item 5745 b including at leastidentifier information on the item 5745 b, recipient information on theitem 5745 b, and destination information on the item 5745 b. As such,the autonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module 5725 may be further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to generate association data that establishesand reflects a secure association between the wireless ID node 5750 andthe modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 (e.g., theautonomous controller 5730 in control module 5725) after detecting anadvertising signal from the wireless ID node 5760. This secureassociation between the wireless ID node 5750 and the modular mobilecart autonomy control module 5725 allows secure sharing of at least theshipping information between the wireless ID node 5750 and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module 5725, and further embodiments maythen responsively generate notifications related to delivery of such annode-enabled item 5745 b.

The exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 may, insome embodiments, advantageously and automatically provide notificationsfor courier 5755 related to what is being transported on the assembly5700. For example, the autonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobilecart autonomy control module 5725 may be further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to generate a deliverynotification in response to receiving at least a portion of the shippinginformation from the wireless ID node 5750. Such a delivery notificationmay, for example, be a delivery location information notificationindicating the destination information on the item being shipped and theidentifier information on the item being shipped. Such a deliverynotification may be triggered, for example, when the current location ofthe modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly is within a thresholddistance from a delivery location indicated by the destinationinformation.

Such delivery notifications may take several forms. For example, theautonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 may be programmatically adapted and configured to generatethe delivery notification as a delivery warning on at least one displaydisposed on the detachable modular housing of control module 5725, wherethe delivery warning identifies the item 5745 b based upon the shippinginformation from that item's node 5750 and where the delivery warningalso indicates the destination information on the item being shipped. Inother examples, such a delivery warning may be generated as an audibledelivery warning through a speaker disposed on the detachable modularhousing and operatively coupled to the autonomous controller 5730.

In further examples, the delivery notification may be through wirelessinteractions with the courier's wireless mobile courier node 5760. Forexample, the autonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cartautonomy control module 3725 may be programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to generate the delivery notificationwirelessly notifying the wireless mobile courier node 5760 with thedelivery notification, which may appear on a screen on the courier node5760 or with an audible warning generated by the courier node 5760.

An exemplary delivery notification generated by the autonomouscontroller 5730 may, in another example, be a delivery locationinformation notification indicating the destination information on theitem and identifier information on the item being shipped. Thegenerations of such deliver location information notification may betriggered, by autonomous controller 5730, for wireless notification ofwireless mobile courier node 5760 when the current location of themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 is within a thresholddistance from a delivery location indicated by the destinationinformation.

An embodiment of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly5700 may be capable, configured, and programmed to predict movement ofthe courier 5755, and autonomously cause exemplary modular autonomouscart apparatus assembly 5700 to move (e.g., the modular mobility base5705 to move) based upon such predicted movement. For example, theautonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 in exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700may be further programmatically adapted and configured to be operativeto generate a predicted path of movement for the wireless mobile couriernode 5760 based upon a destination location maintained by the modularmobile cart autonomy control module 5725; and generate the steeringcontrol command and the propulsion control command for systems inmobility base 5705 based at least upon the location data from thelocation circuitry in module 5725, the received information on the basefeedback sensor data from the mobility controller in mobility base 5705,the onboard sensor data as received by the autonomous controller 5730from the autonomy module sensors, and the determined location of thewireless mobile courier node 5760.

In more detail, the location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760may be determined by the autonomous controller 5730 of the modularmobile cart autonomy control module receiving a location message fromthe wireless mobile courier node 5760 and where the location messageprovides the current location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760(and the location of the assembly 5700 may be provided to controller5730 through location circuitry deployed as part of control module5725).

Similar to modular components from exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly 1700 as described above, an embodiment of exemplary modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 may be deployed that uses onlyauthenticated modular components. For example, an embodiment ofexemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 may havemodular mobility base 5705, modular cart handle 5710/5715, and themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 being eachauthenticated modular components based upon a component-to-componentsecure handshaking between proximately attached ones of the modularmobility base 5705, modular cart handle 5710/5715, and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module 5725. In more detail, thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking may involve a challenge andsecurity credential response between proximately attached ones of themodular mobility base 5705, modular cart handle 5710/5715, and themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 (such as explained withreference to FIG. 34). Such authentication of the modular componentsmay, for example, be implemented with verification of authenticatedmodular components for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly5700 as each of the modular mobility base 5705, modular cart handle5710/5715, and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 areassembled into the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. Andlike that explained with reference to FIG. 34, thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking may be based upon one or moreregulatory rules, one or more contractual rules, and/or one or moresafety rules. Further, an embodiment may have the component-to-componentsecure handshaking of modular components of assembly 5700 being basedupon logistical constraint information on a determined work environmentfor the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 5700. Examples of suchlogical constraint information may be identified as part of the securitycredential response. In more detail, examples of such logisticalconstraint information may identify a size limitation for the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700, a weight limitation for themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700, and/or a readinesslimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly. In evenmore detail, such a readiness limitation may be one or more performancethresholds for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 5700 in ananticipated deployment operation of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700 (e.g., a minimum charge on the power source usedonboard assembly 5700, and the like).

If the modular components of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700 are not authenticated, actions may be initiated on themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. For example, theautonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 3725 may be further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to notify a server (such as a dispatch server or assemblyserver) over the wireless radio transceiver on control module 3725 thatone or more of the modular mobility base 5705, modular cart handle5710/5715, and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 arenot authenticated modular components based upon thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking between the modular mobilecart autonomy control module 5725 and each of the modular mobility base5705 and the modular cart handle 5710/5715. Such a notification mayinclude or be followed by request by the autonomous controller 5730 fora replacement component for the one or more of the modular mobility base5705 and the modular cart handle 5710/5715 that are not authenticatedmodular components in the assembly 5700.

In another example of actions that may be initiated fornon-authenticated modular components, the autonomous controller 5730 ofthe modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may be furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to generate acomponent replacement request message on at least one of the displaysdisposed on the detachable modular housing of control module 5725 whenone or more of the modular mobility base 5705 and the modular carthandle 5710/5715 are not authenticated modular components based upon thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking. Such a component replacementrequest message may request a replacement component for the one or moreof the modular mobility base 5705 and the modular cart handle 5710/5715that are not authenticated modular components.

In still another example, the autonomous controller 5730 of the modularmobile autonomy control module 5725 may be further programmaticallyadapted and configured to receive an authentication result from one ofthe modular mobility base and the modular cart handle, where theauthentication result indicates that at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular cart handle are not authenticated modularcomponents based upon the component-to-component secure handshaking.Based upon the authentication result received by the autonomouscontroller 5730, the autonomous controller 5730 may then notify a server(such as a dispatch server or assembly server) over the wireless radiotransceiver in control module 5725 that one or more of the modularmobility base and modular cart handle are not authenticated modularcomponents to initiate replacement of the non-authenticatedcomponent(s). A further example may, instead of or in addition tonotifying the server, generate a component replacement request messageon at least one of the displays disposed on the detachable modularhousing of control module 5725 based upon the authentication resultreceived.

In further embodiments involving the authentication of modularcomponents on exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700,the component-to-component secure handshaking may be performed betweenthe modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 and each of themodular mobility base 5705 and the modular cart handle 5710/5715. Thus,while the control module 5730 may not be proximately attached to modularmobility base 5705, the component identifiers and relevant securitycredentials of non-proximate modular components may be verified andauthenticated by the control module 5730 through communications overbuses 5790 a-5790 c. As such, the component-to-component securehandshaking may involve a challenge and security credential responsebetween the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 andrespectively each of the modular mobility base 5705 and the modular carthandle 5710/5715. As with the component-to-component secure handshakingdescribed above relative to assembly 5700, such secure handshaking withthe modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may involveregulatory rules, contractual rules, and safety rules, logisticalconstraint information on a determined work environment for the modularautonomous cart apparatus (e.g., a size limitation for the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly, a weight limitation for the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly, a readiness limitation for themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly, performance thresholds forthe modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly in an anticipateddeployment operation of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly,and the like). Those skilled in the art will further appreciate thatsimilar notifications and responsive actions (e.g., requestreplacements) for non-authenticated modular components may also be takenbased upon the secure handshaking undertaken by the modular mobile cartautonomy control module 5725.

Further still, an embodiment may have such authentication of the modularcomponents of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700in the context of a particular logistics operation assigned to theexemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. For example,the modular mobility base 5705, modular cart handle 5710/5715, and themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may be each verified tobe compatible with an assigned logistics operation for the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 based upon acomponent-to-component secure handshaking between proximately attachedones of the modular mobility base 5705, modular cart handle 5710/5715,and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725.

FIG. 58 is a diagram of the exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5800 that uses two mobility bases as a sub-assembly having anextended base adapter plate in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The pair of mobility base components may cooperate as acombined larger format follower-enhanced MB-based in order to move heavyor hard to handle freight that can follow a courier to a deliverydestination. The exemplary MB pair in this embodiment may be able tocooperate via TRON technology (e.g., association based coupling,wireless node-to-node communication, etc.) acting as one larger combinedplatform able to carry heavier encumbering loads than a courier couldcarry on his own. The coupled/combined MB pair may follow the couriervia autonomous following as described above and with the variouslocation enablement techniques described herein (e.g., via GPS, mapping,or TRON enablement).

Referring now to FIG. 58, exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5800 is setup similar to that of assembly 5700, but it includestwo mobility bases 5805 a, 5805 b and an extended base adapter plate5810. As such, this part of assembly 5800 is similar to exemplaryassembly 1900 as shown in FIG. 19 with multiple modular mobility basecomponents 1705 a, 1705 b paired with an exemplary extended base adapterplate module (BAPM) 1905. Further, mobility bases 5805 a, 5805 b mayinclude multi/all-wheel independent drive (propulsion) andmulti/all-wheel independent steering as discussed with respect toexemplary modular mobility base 1705. In such a configuration, exemplarymodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5800 may be deployed to carryan increased payload (e.g., items 5745 a-5745 c) atop extended baseadapter plate 5810 but still be used with courier 5755 and couriermobile wireless node 5760 as described herein.

As such and in more detail, an embodiment of modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5800 implements a combined mobility base with amobility base sub-assembly that has an extended base adapter plate 5810as the mobile base platform, a front mobility base unit 5805 a coupledto a bottom of the extended base adapter plate 5810, and a rear mobilitybase unit 5805 b coupled to the bottom of the extended base adapterplate 5810. In light of the discussion above related to exemplarymodular mobility base 1705, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the collective propulsion system for the modular mobility base isconnected to the extended base adapter plate 5810, and uses a frontpropulsion system responsive to a first propulsion control input fromthe mobility controller to cause changes in speed of the front mobilitybase unit 5805 a, and a second propulsion system responsive to a secondpropulsion control input from the mobility controller to cause changesin speed of the rear mobility base unit 5805 b. The steering system forthe combined modular mobility base has a first steering system connectedto the front mobility base unit 5805 a and coupled to the firstpropulsion system (where the first steering system responds to a firststeering control input from the mobility controller to cause changes todirectional movement of the front mobility base unit 5805 a) and asecond steering system connected to the second mobility base unit 5805 band coupled to the second propulsion system (where the second steeringsystem responds to a second steering control input from the mobilitycontroller and to cause changes to directional movement of the rearmobility base unit 5805 b). Such an exemplary mobility base sub-assemblyalso has mobility base sensors coupled to the mobility control systemfor the sub-assembly, where the mobility base sensors have a firstportion disposed on the front mobility base unit 5805 a and a secondportion disposed on the rear mobility base unit 5805 b. Such mobilitybase sensors (similar to sensors 1815) are operative to autonomouslydetect an object in the path of assembly 5800 and provide base feedbacksensor data to the mobility controller on the detected object.

An embodiment of assembly 5800 may use a single mobility controller as amobility control system that separately generates coordinated controlsignals to control each of the mobility base units 5805 a, 5805 b. Inanother embodiment, assembly 5800 may have different mobilitycontrollers in each of the mobility base units 5805 a, 5805 b where thetwo mobility controllers coordinate similar to that described aboverelative to FIG. 19 and exemplary modular multiple mobility baseassembly apparatus 1900. As such, in this other embodiment, one unit5805 a may operate as a master controller with respect to the mobilitybase sub-assembly and the other unit 5805 b may operate as a slavecontroller (e.g., taking direction for propulsion and steering from themaster controller in unit 5805 a as master control input and providingsensor data by the slave controller in unit 5805 b to the mastercontroller in the first unit 5805 a).

Exemplary assembly 5800 may also have an interface to a common modularcomponent power and data transport bus (similar to that shown as bus5790 c) that provides a power conduit for the modular mobility base(e.g., both of mobility base units 5805 a, 5805 b) and a command anddata interface conduit for at least the mobility controller (e.g., forthe respective mobility controllers in each of mobility base units 5805a, 5805 b).

FIGS. 59A-59C are diagrams of exemplary modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700 as deployed and used with exemplary wirelessmobile courier node 5760 operated by courier 5755 in different operatingmodes—e.g., a follow mode, a manual or directed override mode, and ahover mode in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Ingeneral, FIG. 59A illustrates exemplary modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700 operating in the follow mode where the exemplarymodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 autonomously tracks andfollows the current location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760 asthe wireless mobile courier node 5760 moves and while maintaining apredetermined follow distance from the current location of the wirelessmobile courier node 5760. In more detail, and referring now to theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 59A, an embodiment of exemplarymodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 operate in follow modewith the autonomous controller 5730 of modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module 5725 being programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to perform functions (a)-(i) as described below. This includeshaving the autonomous controller 5730 being programmatically operativeto (a) detect, using the wireless radio transceiver on control module5725, an advertising signal from a wireless mobile courier node 5760 andthen (b) generate association data that establishes and reflects asecure association between the wireless mobile courier node 5760 and themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 after detecting theadvertising signal from the wireless mobile courier node 5760 (where thesecure association between the wireless mobile courier node 5760 and themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 enables and allowssecure sharing of information between the wireless mobile courier node5760 and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725. Theautonomous controller 5730 may be further programmatically operative to(c) determine a current location of the wireless mobile courier node5760 (e.g., through information provided by node 5760, through nodelocating techniques described herein, and the like); (d) determine acurrent location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700through, for example, location data generated by location circuitrywithin control module 5725; (e) receive information on base feedbacksensor data from the mobility controller 5795 through the common modularcomponent power and data transport bus (e.g., buses 5790 a-5790 c); (f)receive the onboard sensor data from the autonomy module sensors oncontrol module 5725; and then (g) generate a steering control commandand a propulsion control command based at least upon the currentlocation of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700, thecurrent location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760, the receivedinformation on the base feedback sensor data from the mobilitycontroller 5795, and the onboard sensor data as received by theautonomous controller 5730 from the autonomy module sensors on controlmodule 3725. Additionally, the autonomous controller 5730 may be furtherprogrammatically operative to (h) transmit the steering control commandand the propulsion control command through the common modular componentpower and data transport bus (e.g., buses 5790 a-5790 c) for receipt bythe mobility controller 5730 in control module 5725; and then (i) repeatfunctions (c)-(h) to autonomously track and follow the current locationof the wireless mobile courier node 5760 as the wireless mobile couriernode 5760 moves and while maintaining a predetermined follow distancefrom the current location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760. Inthis way, an embodiment of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700 may operate in a type of follow mode that unburdens thecourier 5755 and allows the courier 5755 an entirely new freedom ofmovement without the need to consciously guide the assembly 5700.

A further embodiment may extend such a follow mode for the exemplarymodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 with a handoff toanother node, such as another mobile node (e.g., one associated with avehicle or separate person other than courier 5755) or one or morefacility nodes disposed in an environment external to the assemble 5700(e.g., building facility nodes placed in different locations within anoffice area or at different locations within the building). Such ahandoff from the wireless mobile courier node 5760 to another node (suchas one or more facility nodes) may, in essence, have exemplary modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 engage in a type of follow modewhere what is followed may change from the courier mobile wireless node5760 to a “virtual” courier represented by the other node (whethermobile or stationary types of nodes). For example, a further embodimentof the exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700, whenoperating in follow mode, may have the autonomous controller 5730 of themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 being furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to (j) detect,using the wireless radio transceiver, a first wireless facility node;and (k) repeat functions (c)-(i) using the first wireless buildingfacility node as the wireless mobile courier node. As such, assembly5700 may shift from moving towards the courier mobile wireless node andtransition to moving towards the first wireless facility node, whicheffectively implements a follow mode handoff.

In more detail, such a follow mode handoff embodiment may have theautonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 being operative to perform function (j) by being furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to detect, usingthe wireless radio transceiver, an advertising signal from the firstwireless facility node; and generate association data that establishesand reflects a secure association between the first wireless facilitynode and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 afterdetecting the advertising signal from the first wireless facility node.Here, the secure association between the first wireless facility nodeand the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 (e.g., theautonomous controller 5730 within the control module 5725) allows forsecure sharing of information between the first wireless facility nodeand the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725. Such securelyshared information allows the first wireless facility node to guide themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 from the currentlocation of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 to thecurrent location of the first wireless facility node. For example, ifthe first wireless facility node was a node deployed in the lobby of abuilding, exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 mayoperate in follow mode to follow courier 5755 (i.e., wireless mobilecourier node 5760) to an entrance of the building where the assemblyshifts to now “follow” or move towards the current location of the lobbynode. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the buildingfacility node may be stationary or mobile, but in either case, theassembly 5700 performing a follow mode handoff will move relative to thebuilding facility node in the future rather than towards or relative tothe wireless mobile courier node 5760. A further embodiment may have theautonomous controller 5730 implement a “return to courier” mode aftersuch a handoff, where the autonomous controller 5730 detects completionof a delivery or pickup (e.g., using sensors 5740 and/or nodecommunications with a node-enabled item being transported for pickup ordelivery), notifies the wireless mobile courier node 5760 andautonomously causes the modular mobility base 5705 to move back to thecurrent location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760 (or to aseparate pickup or delivery location for an additional logisticsoperation before returning to the courier autonomously after beinghanded off to follow such a virtual courier).

An embodiment may extend the follow mode handoff exemplary by havingassembly 5700 shift again from following the first building facilitynode to another node for additional handoffs. For example, theautonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 may be further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to detect, using the wireless radio transceiver, a secondwireless building facility node located past the first wireless buildingfacility node; and repeat functions (c)-(i) using the second wirelessbuilding facility node as the wireless mobile courier node. As such, inthe example where the first wireless building facility node is a lobbynode, the exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 mayswitch from following the courier mobile wireless node 5760 uponentering the building to moving towards the lobby node (despite it notmoving). Once close enough to the lobby node, assembly 5700 may shiftagain and begin following or moving towards a building facility nodelocated in a particular conference room. Thus, as the assembly “follows”and moves towards and arrives at the conference room node, a pickup ordelivery may occur with an item being transported on mobility base 5705,and assembly 5700 may return to the courier 5755 without the courier5755 ever needed to enter the building or move from the entrance area.

In still another embodiment, the securely shared information between theassociated devices may extend this follow mode to where the securelyshared information allows the first wireless facility node to guide themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 from the currentlocation of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 to aremote location within a transmission range of the first wirelessfacility node. As such, the “virtual” courier may provide a point tofollow as well as directions to follow towards the remote location. Inother words, an embodiment may have the autonomous controller 5730 ofthe modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 being furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to repeatfunctions (d)-(h) using the first wireless building facility node as thewireless mobile courier node and to autonomously cause the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly to move towards the remote location.

In some circumstances, exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700 may use localized human guidance input to overrideautonomous movement of the assembly 5700. In such an embodiment, asshown in FIG. 59B, courier 5755 manually engages the modular cart handlegrip 5710 to initiate a manual override mode of assembly 5700. Forexample, in such an embodiment, the modular cart handle may have alocalized guidance input detector (e.g., button, switch, ortouch-sensitive detector responsive to a degree of pressure exerted onthe detector) disposed on the handle grip 5710 and operatively coupledto the autonomy controller 5730 through bus 5790 b within the modularcart handle. The localized guidance input detector operates in thisembodiment to sense external contact with local personnel (e.g., thehand of courier 5755 as it engages grip 5710 and the localized guidanceinput detector on the grip 5710) as an override control input for themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. As such, the autonomouscontroller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725may be further programmatically adapted and configured to be operativeto, in response to receiving the override control input from thelocalized guidance input detector, to generate the steering controlcommand and the propulsion control command based at least upon thesensed external contact with the local personnel to providepower-assisted movement of the modular mobility base 5705 at thedirection of the local personnel, such as courier 5755.

In more detail, an embodiment may have the autonomous controller 5730 ofthe modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 being furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to, in responseto receiving the override control input from the localized guidanceinput detector, to generate the steering control command and thepropulsion control command based at least upon (a) the sensed externalcontact with the local personnel to provide power-assisted movement ofthe modular mobility base at the direction of the local personnel, (b)the received information on the base feedback sensor data from themobility controller, and (c) the onboard sensor data as received by theautonomous controller from the autonomy module sensors so as to providethe power-assisted movement of the modular mobility base 5705 at thedirection of the local personnel while avoiding collisions and objectsin the path of the modular mobility base 5705 using the receivedinformation on the base feedback sensor data and the onboard sensordata. Thus, in response to detecting an object in the path of themodular mobility base 5705 while in this manual override mode, theautonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule 5725 may be further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to alter at least one of the steering control command and thepropulsion control command to implement a type of collision avoidanceintervention despite the manual override mode. In one example, at leastone of the base feedback sensor data and the onboard sensor data may beproximity sensor data related to the object in the path of the modularmobility base being avoided by at least one of the steering controlcommand and the propulsion control command. In another example, at leastone of the base feedback sensor data and the onboard sensor dataincludes visual sensor data related to an image of the object in thepath of the modular mobility base being avoided by at least one of thesteering control command and the propulsion control command. Forexample, when the sensors noted above identify the object in the path ofthe modular mobility base 5705 as being in a class of pathway objects tobe avoided (e.g., a predetermined class of hazardous objects (such asfuel tankers), a predetermined class of symbols (such as symbols forhazardous waste), and a predetermined class of signs (such as STOPsigns)).

The override mode described above is a manual override mode based uponlocal human input, but another type of override mode may be deployed inan exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. In moredetail, a directed override mode may use limitations of use attributesbased on restrictions of operations for the assembly 5700 toautomatically switch into a different directed mode of operation for theassembly 5700. For example, a further embodiment of exemplary modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 may have the autonomouscontroller 5730 of control module 5725 maintaining a location limitationprofile in its memory as a type of profile data (e.g., profile data 430when controller 5730 is implemented as a type of master node), where thelocation limitation profile identifies one or more restricted locationsfor the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 to avoid. Inthis further embodiment, the autonomous controller 5730 of the modularmobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may then be furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to (g) generatethe steering control command and the propulsion control command based atleast upon the current location of the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700, the current location of the wireless mobile courier node5760, the received information on the base feedback sensor data from themobility controller 5795, the onboard sensor data as received by theautonomous controller 5730 from the autonomy module sensors, and the oneor more restricted locations as identified in the location limitationprofile. Such a location limitation profile may be downloaded wirelesslyfrom a remote service network device (e.g., a dispatch or assemblyserver, a user access device external to the assembly 5700, and thelike) to the autonomous controller 5830 in control module 5725 ofmodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700

In yet a further embodiment of exemplary modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700, autonomous operation of the assembly may relyon historic context data, such as location information and sensor-basedinformation from prior logistics operations in the vicinity of where theassembly 5700 is currently operating. For example, an embodiment ofexemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 may have itsautonomous controller 5730 of control module 5725 maintaining contextdata in memory related to prior movement of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700. As such, the autonomous controller 5730 of themodular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may be furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to repeat functions (c)-(h) asdescribed above to autonomously track and follow the current location ofthe wireless mobile courier node 5760 as the wireless mobile couriernode 5760 moves and while maintaining the predetermined follow distancefrom the current location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760 basedalso upon the context data related to prior movements of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly. In other words, any of theembodiments described herein may use such historic context data (e.g., atype of context data, shared data, and/or historic data 575 used bynode-enabled components) in order for the apparatus to enhance itsautonomous movement operations with a finer degree of location andsensory data keyed to locations where the assembly (or other assemblies)have been.

In such an embodiment and in more detail, the autonomous controller 5730of the modular mobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may beprogrammatically adapted and configured to perform function (g) by beingfurther programmatically adapted and configured to generate the steeringcontrol command and the propulsion control command based at least uponthe current location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly5700, the current location of the wireless mobile courier node 5760, thereceived information on the base feedback sensor data from the mobilitycontroller 5795, the onboard sensor data as received by the autonomouscontroller 5730 from the autonomy module sensors, and the context datarelated to prior movements of at least the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700.

For example, such context data may be historic data related to priormovement of the modular mobility base 5705 at one or more locationswithin a range distance from the current location of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. In another example, suchcontext data, as historic data, may include historic pathway obstacledata indicating at least one identified pathway obstacle within therange distance from the current location of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700. Such historic pathway obstacle data may bebased upon previously processed onboard sensor data, previouslyprocessed base feedback sensor data, and previously processed locationdata on the prior location of the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700.

In still another example, such historic data may be historic buildingdata indicating at least one identified building feature disposedexternal to the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly where theidentified building feature is within the range distance from thecurrent location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly. Suchhistoric building data may be based upon previously processed onboardsensor data, previously processed base feedback sensor data, andpreviously processed location data on the prior location of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly.

Further still, historic data in yet another example, may includehistoric origin location context data and/or historic destinationlocation context data. Historic origin location context data indicatesat least one identified origin location environment feature disposedexternal to the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 wherethe identified origin location environment feature is within the rangedistance from the current location of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly. Such historic origin location context data is basedupon previously processed onboard sensor data, previously processed basefeedback sensor data, and previously processed location data on theprior location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700.The historic destination location context data indicates at least oneidentified destination location environment feature disposed external tothe modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 where the identifieddestination location environment feature is within the range distancefrom the current location of the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700. Such historic destination location context data is basedupon previously processed onboard sensor data, previously processed basefeedback sensor data, and previously processed location data on theprior location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700.

In addition to the follow mode and override modes described above, anembodiment of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700may transition to a “hover” mode where the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700 temporarily halts movement based upon one ormore types of control input from the courier 5755. For example, such anembodiment of exemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700may have the autonomous controller 5730 of the modular mobile cartautonomy control module 5725 being further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to (i) repeat functions (c)-(h) as describedabove relative to follow mode until the autonomy controller 5730receives a delivery control input that activates a hover mode for themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 temporarily haltingmovement of the modular mobility base 5705 that was otherwiseautonomously tracking and following the current location of the wirelessmobile courier node 5760. The delivery control input may, for example,be a wireless delivery control input from the wireless mobile couriernode 5760 (e.g., a control signal generated by an app on node 5760 andwirelessly transmitted from node 5760 to autonomous controller 5730 toactivate the hover mode that temporarily halts movement of assembly5700). In other examples, the delivery control input may be providedthrough user input panel 5765 on control module 5725 based upon manualinput received at the user input panel 5765 (e.g., depressing a switch,pressing a button, responding to a voice command via a microphone inuser input panel 5765, and the like).

In still other examples, the delivery control input may be provided as arecognized gesture, such as a hand gesture (such as a particular handgesture that represents activation of hover mode and another handgesture that represents resume follow mode or end of hover mode). Inmore detail, an example of such an embodiment may have the deliverycontrol input being a gesture control input received through at leastone from the autonomy module sensors and the mobility base sensors. Inmore detail, the one from the autonomy module sensors and the mobilitybase sensors may be a scanning sensor that generates scanning sensordata representing a halt hand gesture from an operator (e.g., thecourier 5755) of the wireless mobile courier node 5760. As received byautonomous controller 5730, such scanning sensor data representing thehalt hand gesture as the gesture control input may be used as thedelivery control input that activates hover mode on exemplary modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that any of the embodiments described herein may deploysensors on the component (or as part of a user input panel) to provideH2M input via machine-recognized gestures that represent input (e.g., anaccess code, a predetermined pattern used to represent an authorized ordesignated entity providing the input, and the like).

To de-activate hover mode, the autonomous controller 5730 of the modularmobile cart autonomy control module 5725 may be further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to resume, in response toreceiving a resume control input that deactivates the hover moderepeating, functions (c)-(h) to autonomously track and follow thecurrent location of the wireless mobile courier node as the wirelessmobile courier node moves and while maintaining the predetermined followdistance from the current location of the wireless mobile courier node.Such a resume control input may be a wireless delivery control inputfrom the wireless mobile courier node, an input from user input panel5765 in its various forms as discussed above, or a gesture control inputreceived through at least one from the autonomy module sensors and themobility base sensors (scanning sensor data generated that represents aresume hand gesture from an operator of the wireless mobile courier node5760).

FIGS. 60A-60B are diagrams of an exemplary system of multiple modularautonomous cart apparatus assemblies for transporting different items inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a large cityenvironment example, where couriers typically use carts to carrymultiple objects once a parking spot is attained, an embodiment may havea courier using multiple modular autonomous cart apparatusassemblies—e.g., one cart that may be manually pushed (or an MB with amanual control on a handle that allows the courier to direct and controlthe propulsion and steering system on the MB) with one or moreadditional cart assemblies in follow mode that are autonomouslyfollowing in order to increase productivity. An embodiment may leverageTRON technology and/or sensors in order to follow couriers as they makedeliveries. For example, the courier may have a handheld user accessdevice (e.g., exemplary courier mobile wireless node 5760) operating asa type of master node while the follower-enhanced MB-based cart may haveits small sensing hat (e.g., control module 5725) operating as a type ofmaster/container/ID node. Further embodiments, may have thefollower-enhanced MB-based cart interactively communicating with thecourier's handheld user access device for locating purposes as well astracking/monitoring what is on the respective carts. Different ID nodeenabled items (e.g., item 5475 b with associated node 5750) may beloaded onto the different cart assemblies, where such ID nodesproactively and automatically allow the courier (via the courier'shandheld user access device or a display on the follower-enhancedMB-based cart or both) to know what item (or object) is on which cartassembly and allow for proactive and automatic notifications of wheresuch items/objects need to be delivered as the courier moves on adelivery route. Further embodiments may have a courier using multiplefollower-enhanced MB-based carts where each can autonomously follow thecourier in the group of cart assemblies with wireless communicationbetween each cart assembly (e.g., between each respective control module5725) allowing for logging of deliveries and notification regardingwhere particular objects are on specific carts.

FIG. 60 is a diagram of an exemplary system 6000 where the differentmodular autonomous cart apparatus assemblies 5700 a-5700 c are in followmode so that assembly 5700 a is following courier 5755 via exemplarycourier mobile wireless node 5760, while assembly 5700 b is followingassembly 5700 a via communications with autonomous controller 5730 a inthe control module 5725 a of assembly 5700 a and assembly 5700 c isfollowing assembly 5700 b via communications with autonomous controller5730 b in the control module 5725 b of assembly 5700 b. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that each of assemblies 5700 a-5700 b in system6000 may be implemented similar to that shown and described herein asexemplary modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 and theparticular components described and explained as used in such anassembly 5700.

In such a system example, an embodiment of an exemplary system fortransporting multiple items (e.g., items 5745 a-5745 f) includes a firstmodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly for transporting a first ofthe items being shipped and a second modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly for transporting a second of the items. In this system, thefirst modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly (e.g., assembly 5700 asimilar to assembly 5700) is equipped with a first propelledsensor-based modular mobility base (similar to mobility base 5705)having a first support base platform that supports the first of theitems being shipped; a first modular cart handle (similar to handle5710/5715) detachably mounted to the first modular mobility base (wherethe first modular cart handle has a first handle grip (similar to grip5710) and a first common modular component power and data transport busas a first conduit (similar to bus 5790 b) through the first modularcart handle); and a first modular sensor-based cart autonomy controlmodule (e.g., control module 5725 a similar to control module 5725)detachably mounted to the first modular cart handle and including afirst wireless radio transceiver (similar to wireless radio transceiver3125). As such, the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy controlmodule (e.g., autonomous controller 5730 a in control module 5725 a) isoperative to generate first onboard sensor data related to anenvironment proximate the first modular sensor-based cart autonomycontrol module, receive first base sensor data from the first modularmobility base through the first conduit, where the first base sensordata is related to an environment proximate the first modular mobilitybase, and provide a first mobility control input as navigation controlto the first modular mobility base through the first conduit based atleast upon the onboard sensor data and the received base sensor data.

The second modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly in the system issimilarly configured to the first modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly with its respective propelled sensor-based modular mobilitybase, modular cart handle, and modular sensor-based cart autonomycontrol module. In this second assembly of the system, its modularsensor-based cart autonomy control module (e.g., autonomous controller5730 b in control module 5725 b) is operative to generate second onboardsensor data related to an environment proximate the second modularsensor-based cart autonomy control module, receive second base sensordata from the second modular mobility base through the second conduit(where the second base sensor data is related to an environmentproximate the second modular mobility base), and provide a secondmobility control input as navigation control to the second modularmobility base through the second conduit based at least upon the secondonboard sensor data and the received second base sensor data.

In this system configuration, the first modular sensor-based cartautonomy control module is further operative to determine a location ofa wireless mobile courier node (e.g., node 5760) operated by courierpersonnel involved in delivering the items being shipped (e.g., courier5755), and autonomously cause the first modular mobility base to followthe wireless courier node while maintaining a first predetermined followdistance from the location of the wireless mobile courier node as thewireless mobile courier node moves on a delivery route. In other words,the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module operates thefirst cart assembly in a follow mode where the first cart assembly isautonomously tracking and following the wireless courier node. At thesame time, the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control moduleis further operative to determine a location of the first modularsensor-based cart autonomy module, and autonomously cause the secondmodular mobility base to follow the first modular sensor-based cartautonomy module while maintaining a second predetermined follow distancefrom the location of the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy moduleas the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy module follows thewireless mobile courier node on the delivery route.

In a further system embodiment, a third cart assembly (e.g., assembly5700 c) may be in follow mode to autonomously track and follow thesecond cart assembly (e.g., assembly 5700 b). In more detail, such afurther embodiment may have the system including a third modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly for transporting a third of the itemsbeing shipped. Such a third modular autonomous cart apparatus assemblyis similarly configured to the second (and first) modular autonomouscart apparatus assembly with its respective propelled sensor-basedmodular mobility base, modular cart handle, and modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module. In this third assembly of the system, itsmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module (e.g., autonomouscontroller 5730 c in control module 5725 c) is operative to generatethird onboard sensor data related to an environment proximate the thirdmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module, receive third basesensor data from the third modular mobility base through the conduit(where the third base sensor data is related to an environment proximatethe third modular mobility base), and provide a third mobility controlinput as navigation control to the third modular mobility base throughconduit based at least upon the third onboard sensor data and thereceived third base sensor data. In this configuration, the thirdmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module (e.g., control module5725 c via its autonomous controller 5730 c) is further operative todetermine a location of the second modular sensor-based cart autonomymodule, and autonomously cause the third modular mobility base to followthe second modular sensor-based cart autonomy module while maintaining asecond predetermined follow distance from the location of the secondmodular sensor-based cart autonomy module as the second modularsensor-based cart autonomy module follows the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy module.

With node-enabled items being shipped on one or more of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assemblies in this system, further embodimentsof the system may involve node-to-node secure associations and securecommunications, which may facilitate the generation, presentation, andresponses to various type of delivery notifications based on sharedinformation from such node-enabled items with respective modularautonomous cart apparatus assemblies and/or the courier mobile wirelessnode operated by the attendant courier personnel. in more detail, afurther system embodiment may have the first of the items being shippedhaving a first wireless ID node with the first of the items beingshipped (e.g., ID node 5750 with item 5745 b on cart apparatus assembly5700 a). This first wireless ID node maintains shipping information onthe first of the items being shipped including at least identifierinformation on the first of the items being shipped, recipientinformation on the first of the items being shipped, and destinationinformation on the first of the items being shipped. As such, the firstmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module (e.g., autonomouscontroller 5730 a in control module 5725 a) is further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to generate association data thatestablishes and reflects a secure association between the first wirelessID node and the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control moduleafter detecting an advertising signal from the first wireless ID node.This secure association between the first wireless ID node and the firstmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module allows secure sharingof at least the shipping information between the first wireless ID nodeand the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module. Afurther example may have an item (e.g., the second of the items beingshipped) also being a node-enabled item that may be similarly associatedwith the control module on the second cart apparatus assembly so thatshipping information about the second of the items being shipped may besecurely communicated and shared through the ID node with the seconditem to the autonomous controller in the control module of the secondcart apparatus assembly.

In still further embodiments, notifications about delivery of the IDnode-enabled items may be responsively generated based on the sharedshipping information. For example, the first modular sensor-based cartautonomy control module may be further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to generate a delivery notification inresponse to receiving at least a portion of the shipping informationfrom the first wireless ID node. In like manner, the second modularsensor-based cart autonomy control module may be furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to generate adelivery notification in response to receiving at least a portion of theshipping information from the second wireless ID node.

Such delivery notifications may include delivery location information.For example, the delivery notification generated by the first controlmodule may be delivery location information notification indicating thedestination information on the first of the items being shipped and theidentifier information on the first of the items being shipped. And inlike manner, the delivery notification generated by the second controlmodule may be delivery location information notification indicating thedestination information on the second of the items being shipped and theidentifier information on the second of the items being shipped.

These delivery notifications generated by control modules in the firstand/or second cart apparatus assemblies in the system may be triggeredwhen the current location of the relevant modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly is within a threshold distance from a deliverylocation indicated by the destination information.

The form of such delivery notifications generated by the first andsecond modular sensor-based cart autonomy control modules may, forexample, be a delivery warning on a display disposed on the respectiveone of the two modular sensor-based cart autonomy control modules in thesystem. Such a delivery warning identifies the item based upon theshipping information provided from its accompanying ID node andindicates the destination information on the respective item that is thesubject of the displayed warning. Other forms of such deliverynotifications generated by the respective first and second modularsensor-based cart autonomy control modules may, for example, be anaudible delivery warning through a speaker on the respective controlmodule. Such an audible delivery warning identifies the item based uponthe shipping information provided from its accompanying ID node andindicates the destination information on the respective item that is thesubject of the audible warning.

Further forms of such delivery notification may take the form of awireless notification to the courier. For example, the first and secondmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control modules may each beprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to generatetheir respective delivery notification by being further operative towirelessly notify the wireless mobile courier node 5760 with therelevant delivery notification (which may include destinationinformation and identifier information on the relevant item) and wherenotification may be triggered when the current location of therespective modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly is within athreshold distance from a delivery location indicated by the destinationinformation.

In a further embodiment of such a system, inventory data structures maybe deployed on one or more of the respective modular autonomous cartapparatus assemblies to log deliveries as monitored items are removedwith updates being provided to the courier mobile wireless node. In sucha further embodiment, for example, the first modular sensor-based cartautonomy control module may maintain a first inventory data structureidentifying which of the items are disposed on the first support base,and the first modular sensor-based autonomy control module may have atleast a first payload monitoring sensor (e.g., sensor 5740 a) thatmonitors any of the items disposed on the first support base (e.g.,items 5475 a, 5475 b). As such, the first modular sensor-based cartautonomy control module may be programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to detect, using first payload sensor data from thefirst payload monitoring sensor, when the first of the items beingshipped has been removed from the first support base; update the firstinventory data structure to reflect the detected removal of the first ofthe items being shipped, and notify the wireless mobile courier nodethat the first of the items being shipped has been removed from thefirst support base. In another example in such a further embodiment, thesecond cart assembly may be similarly configured to detect remove ofitems and notify the wireless mobile courier node about the itemsremoved.

Further still, an embodiment of this multi-assembly system may have thefirst and/or second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control modulenotifying the courier node about the location of a particular item ontheir respective cart. For example, an embodiment may have the firstmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module being programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to monitor at least the first ofthe items being shipped on the first support base; identify a locationof the first of the items being shipped as located on the first supportbase (e.g., via machine vision, image detection, node location,proximity sensing, and the like); and notify the wireless mobile couriernode about the identified location of the first of the items beingshipped. In another example in such a further embodiment, the secondcart assembly may be similarly configured to locate and report on thelocation of items.

FIG. 61 is a diagram of an exemplary system 6100 where a first modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 a is manually controller andwhile the remaining two modular autonomous cart apparatus assemblies5700 b-5700 c are in follow mode so that assembly 5700 a is manuallycontrolled by courier 5755 in a temporary override mode, while assembly5700 b is following assembly 5700 a via communications with autonomouscontroller 5730 a in the control module 5725 a of assembly 5700 a andassembly 5700 c is following assembly 5700 b via communications withautonomous controller 5730 b in the control module 5725 b of assembly5700 b. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each of assemblies5700 a-5700 b in system 6000 may be implemented similar to that shownand described herein in exemplary system 6100 as exemplary modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 and the particular componentsdescribed and explained as used in such an assembly 5700.

In such a system 6100, an embodiment of an exemplary system fortransporting a multiple items being shipped includes a first modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 a for transporting a first ofthe items being shipped and a second modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly 5700 b for transporting a first of the items being shipped. Insystem 6100, the first modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 ais equipped with a first propelled sensor-based modular mobility basehaving a support base platform that supports the first of the itemsbeing shipped, a first modular cart handle detachably mounted to thefirst modular mobility base, and a first modular sensor-based cartautonomy control module. The first modular cart handle has a firsthandle grip, a localized guidance input detector disposed on the handlegrip, and a first common modular component power and data transport busas a first conduit through the first modular cart handle. The firstmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module is detachably mountedto the first modular cart handle, and has an autonomous controller and afirst wireless radio transceiver. As such, the first modularsensor-based cart autonomy control module is operative to generate firstonboard sensor data related to an environment proximate the firstmodular sensor-based cart autonomy control module; receive first basesensor data from the first modular mobility base through the conduit(where the first base sensor data is related to an environment proximatethe first modular mobility base); receive override control input fromthe localized guidance input detector on the first cart handle (andwhere the override control input received is provided through the firstconduit); and provide a first mobility control input as navigationcontrol to the first modular mobility base through the first conduitbased at least upon the onboard sensor data, the received base sensordata, and the override control input.

The second modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 b in system6100 is similarly configured to the first modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700 a with its respective propelled sensor-basedmodular mobility base, modular cart handle, and modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module. However, rather than be in override mode,the second modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 b has itssecond modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module being operativeto generate second onboard sensor data related to an environmentproximate the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module;receive second base sensor data from the second modular mobility basethrough the second conduit, where the second base sensor data is relatedto an environment proximate the second modular mobility base; andprovide a second mobility control input as navigation control to thesecond modular mobility base through the second conduit based at leastupon the second onboard sensor data and the received second base sensordata. Thus, in system 6100, the first modular sensor-based cart autonomycontrol module is further operative to respond to the override controlinput and autonomously cause the first modular mobility base to movebased on the provided first mobility control input to initiate and causepower-assisted movement of the first modular mobility base at thedirection of local personnel in external contact with the localizedguidance input detector. And, in system 6100, the second modularsensor-based cart autonomy control module is further operative todetermine a location of the first modular sensor-based cart autonomymodule, and autonomously cause the second modular mobility base tofollow the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy module whilemaintaining a second predetermined follow distance from the location ofthe first modular sensor-based cart autonomy module.

A further embodiment of system 6100 has a third modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly 5700 c that, similar to that described with respectto system 6000, is in follow mode to autonomously track and follow thesecond modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly 5700 b.

Hold-at-Location (HAL) Related Logistics Operations

In further embodiments, a customer's item being shipped may bedesignated a “hold at location” (HAL) delivery, which may be anauto-redirect or self-selected designation. In this manner, thedeliverable item may be delivered to a particular holding place(generally referred as a HAL location or a hold-at-location logisticsfacility), held temporarily in storage at the HAL location, and may bepicked up directly at the HAL location or taken out to be delivered to acustomer from the HAL location.

In a general example, the customer may have an option for roboticdelivery of the deliverable item from the HAL location (which may bestandard or may be for a small fee). In this example, the customerselects a time window for delivery and sets a delivery location. Anattendant at the HAL location loads an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus.Once loaded, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus initiates delivery. Assuch, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus is dispatched and the customeris informed when the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus begins the deliveryjourney from the HAL location with an estimated time of arrival. Theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus arrives at the HAL location and notifiesthe customer. The customer may then authenticate delivery via an appoperating on the recipient's user access device, via TRON nodeinteractions for association-based authenticated delivery, or viainteraction with the display screen on the MAM component. Afterauthentication, the CSS is opened and the customer receives the object.As the customer unloads the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus, the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus may monitor unloading and ensure that all contentsfor the customer have been removed, and then the bot apparatus mayreturn to the HAL location for the next delivery (or if carryingmultiple objects left at the same HAL location for other customers, thebot apparatus may continue to the next delivery location to drop off thenext object to another customer). The customer may also request a pickup, if needed, and reload the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus with anadditional object to return to the HAL station for tender to a courierservice or other logistics service. Aspects of TRON technology may beincorporated and leveraged for location, door & lock operation, elevatoroperation, and authentication using the various nodes (e.g., differentnodes embedded in or in responsive communication with an actuated door,lock, or elevator) and node locating techniques described above.

FIG. 62 is a diagram of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700at an exemplary hold-at-location logistics facility 6200 in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 62, exemplaryhold-at-location logistics facility 6200 has a dispatch server 6205,which may be implemented similar to servers 4205, 4720 or may be part ofan assembly server (e.g., server 4205) onside at the facility 6200.While not shown in FIG. 62, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat exemplary hold-at-location logistics facility 6200 may include abot storage depot location (similar to that of exemplary bot storagedepot location 4125) with vending systems for organizing, storing, anddispensing particular modular components that may be used to build anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly that can go on to deliver an itemfrom the hold-at-location logistics facility 6200.

Referring back to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 62, exemplaryhold-at-location logistics facility 6200 is shown with a temporarystorage area 6210, a secure storage area 6208, and an access area 6209.Temporary storage area 6210, in this example, is where deliverable items6125 may be received from a separate delivery to the facility, so thatsuch items 6215 may be later placed by personnel (such as personnel6235) in a secure storage area 6208. In secure storage area 6208, forexample, a deliverable item 6215 may be placed into one of the securestorage enclosures 6220 a-6220 c (e.g., storage receptacles, securelocker receptacles for items, such as shown for items 6215 a, 6215 b inrespective enclosures 6220 a, 6220 b) through services doors 6230 a-6230c. In this way, the stored items (e.g., deliverable items 6125 a, 6215b) may be retrieved through respective customer accessible doors 6225a-6225 c by an authorized delivery recipient (or person designated bythe authorized delivery recipient) for pickup or further deliveryoperations from the particular secure storage enclosure/receptaclehaving the relevant deliverable item.

Picking up or accessing the relevant deliverable item (e.g., item 6215a) may be accomplished through access area 6209. As shown in FIG. 62,attendant personnel 6235 that may be involved in loading assembly 1700is shown in access area 6209. Personnel 6235 may be equipped with andoperating a personnel mobile wireless node 6240 (similar to node 5760,such as a smartphone, tablet, or other wireless user access device).Exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may be dispatched to thehold-at-location logistics facility 6200 (from a bot storage locationonsite or from a separate location) by dispatch server 6205 so as toreceive a deliverable item (e.g., deliverable item 6215 a), and thentake it on a dispatched logistics operation to deliver the item to theappropriate delivery recipient.

FIG. 63 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method 6300for performing a dispatched logistics operation for a deliverable item(e.g., deliverable item 6215 a) from a hold-at-location logisticsfacility having a secured storage and using an exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 and a dispatch server 6205 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. An embodiment of method 6300 may use anembodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 (as assembledor after an on-demand assembly at the hold-at-location logisticsfacility 6200) and dispatch server 6205. The exemplary modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly used (e.g., assembly 1700) as part ofmethod 6300 is equipped with at least a modular mobility base (e.g.,exemplary MB 1705) propelling the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700, a modular auxiliary power module (e.g., exemplary APM 1710)providing power for exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, amodular cargo storage system (e.g., exemplary CSS 1720) configured totemporarily maintain what is transported within the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700, and a modular mobile autonomy control module(e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) with its autonomous controller (e.g.,autonomous control system 3100) that autonomously controls operation ofthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 during method 6300.

Referring now to FIG. 63, exemplary method 6300 begins at step 6305 withthe modular mobile autonomy control module of assembly 1700 receiving adelivery dispatch command from the dispatch server 6205. The receiveddelivery dispatch command has at least identifier information on thedeliverable item, transport parameters on the deliverable item,destination delivery information related to drop-off of the deliverableitem, and delivery authentication information related to an authorizeddelivery recipient of the deliverable item. In more detail, the deliverydispatch command may be an auto redirect dispatch command initiated bythe dispatch system 6205 when the deliverable item is detected at atemporary storage within the hold-at-location logistics facility (e.g.,storage 6210 where item 6215 a was dropped off for placement withinsecured storage 6220 a). For example, personnel mobile wireless node6240 may detect or log the presence of deliverable item 6215 a once itarrives at exemplary hold-at-location logistics facility 6200 (or onceit is ready for placement within secured storage 6220 a). As such, node6240 may notify dispatch server 6205, which them may initiate thedelivery dispatch command depending on transaction information relatedto the deliverable item 6145 a (e.g., use of further robotic delivery oran alternative notification for the authorized delivery recipient toknow the item 6215 a is at the facility 6200). As such, the deliverydispatch command may be implemented as a self-selected designateddispatch command initiated by the dispatch system when the deliverableitem is detected at the temporary storage within the hold-at-locationlogistics facility and in response to a delivery request received by thedispatch system from the authorized delivery recipient.

Receiving the delivery dispatch command in step 6305 may also, in someembodiments of method 6300, be triggered as a result of a separatelogistics operation related to the deliverable item. For example, such aseparate logistics operation related to the deliverable item 6215 a mayinvolve a prior unsuccessful attempt for delivery of the deliverableitem 6215 a to the authorized delivery recipient. The authorizeddelivery recipient may not have been home, and as a result, thedeliverable item 6215 a may have been brought to the hold-at-locationlogistics facility 6200 and placed in secure storage enclosure 6220 a.Such a prior unsuccessful attempt for delivery of deliverable item 6215a may have been a prior dispatched logistics operation for autonomousdelivery of the deliverable item 6215 a to the authorized deliveryrecipient (e.g., via the same or different exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly), or alternatively may have been a prior manual deliveryattempt delivery of the deliverable item 6215 a to the authorizeddelivery recipient.

In still another example, the dispatched logistics operation for thedelivery of the deliverable item 6215 a from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility 6200 may be a planned second part of an overalldelivery operation. For example, as part of an embodiment of method6300, the separate logistics operation related to the deliverable item6415 a may be a pre-designated first stage of an overall logisticsoperation to deliver the deliverable item 6215 a to the authorizeddelivery recipient where the pre-designated first stage provides thedeliverable item 6215 a to the secured storage at the hold-at-locationlogistics facility 6200 (e.g., via delivery to temporary storage area6210 then as moved to secured storage enclosure 6220 a in securedstorage area 6208) as a designated interim handoff location for thedispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility 6200 involving the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly1700.

As part of step 6305, the identifier information in the receiveddelivery dispatch command may be implemented, for example, with datathat uniquely identifies the deliverable item (such as a machinereadable identification of the deliverable item, or human readableinformation disposed on the deliverable item that identifies thedeliverable item).

At step 6310, method 6300 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module verifying that each of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with thedispatched logistics operation for the deliverable item based upon thedelivery dispatch command

At step 6315, method 6300 proceeds with the modular cargo storage systemreceiving the deliverable item from the secured storage at thehold-at-location logistics facility into a payload area within themodular cargo storage system at the hold-at-location logistics facility.In more detail, step 6315 may involve loading the deliverable item 6215a into the payload area within the modular cargo storage system ofexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 at the hold-at-locationlogistics facility 6200. Such loading, in a more detailed example ofstep 6315, may be in response to a load request message from thedispatch system 6200 (e.g., a load request message being sent from thedispatch system 6200 to loading personnel 6235 via that person'spersonnel mobile wireless node 6240 while at the hold-at-locationlogistics facility 6200).

Still further details on how deliverable item 6215 a may be loaded aspart of step 6315 may involve actuated and/or articulating structure onthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700. For example, the stepof receiving the deliverable item may be accomplished in an embodimentof step 6315 with the modular mobile autonomy control module actuatingan actuated cargo door 1715 disposed on the modular auxiliary powermodule to an open position (similar to that described above relative toexemplary cargo door 1715). This may involve actuating an actuated joint2020 on the actuated cargo door 1715 to cause the actuated cargo door tomove from the closed position to the open position, and/or actuating anelectro-mechanical lock 2025 on the actuated cargo door 1715 to causethe actuated cargo door to unlock before the door 1715 moves from theclosed position to the open position.

In a further example, step 6315 may implement receiving the deliverableitem by having the modular mobile autonomy control module actuating anactuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tomove the deliverable item into a payload area within the modular cargostorage system, and/or actuating an actuated grabbing arm disposed onthe modular cargo storage system to grab and move the deliverable iteminto a payload area within the modular cargo storage system as part ofreceiving the deliverable item, and/or actuating an actuated beltsurface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movablesupport surface exposed within a payload area inside the modular cargostorage system to cause the deliverable item as placed on the actuatedbelt surface to move within the payload area as part of receiving thedeliverable item.

At step 6320, method 6300 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the hold-at-location logistics facility 6200 (e.g., where loaded instep 6315 within the access area 6209) on a route to a destinationlocation identified by the destination delivery information. As notedabove, movement of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 mayinvolve interactions with facility nodes and pathway obstacles. Forexample, an embodiment of step 6320 may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the hold-at-location logistics facility 6200 to the destinationlocation while interacting with a wireless building facility node toactuate a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedestination location. Such a pathway obstacle may, for example, be anactuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node, anactuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node, oran actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node. Wheninteracting with the wireless building facility node to actuate thepathway obstacle as part of step 6320, the method may have the modularmobile autonomy control module establishing an authorized associationpairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and thewireless building facility node based upon the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation; and causingthe wireless building facility node to actuate the pathway obstacleafter establishing the authorized association pairing between themodular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless buildingfacility node.

In another embodiment of step 6320, the method 6300 may have theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly manually interacting with pathwayobstacles. For example, step of autonomously causing the modularmobility base to move from the hold-at-location logistics facility tothe destination location comprises autonomously in step 6320 may beaccomplished by having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from thehold-at-location logistics facility to the destination location whileengaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedestination location using an articulating arm (e.g., arm 4325) disposedon the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using sensorsdisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module. For example, such a pathway obstacle maybe a manually actuated door, a manually actuated elevator, or a manuallyactuated lock. When engaging the pathway obstacle using the articulatingarm and sensors as part of step 6320, method 6300 may have the modularmobile autonomy control module guiding the articulating arm to a controlelement of the pathway obstacle (e.g., a handle for the pathwayobstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch for the pathwayobstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathway obstacle)using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module; and thenactuating the pathway obstacle once the articulating arm engages thecontrol element of the pathway obstacle.

At step 6325, method 6300 proceeds with notifying, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, the authorized delivery recipient of thedeliverable item of an approaching delivery (e.g., with an estimatedtime of arrival in some embodiments) when the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information. In moredetail, step 6325 may involve, for example, generating a display alertfor the authorized delivery recipient on a display on the modular mobileautonomy control module once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within the threshold notification range of the destinationlocation identified by the destination information; and/or generating anaudio notification for the authorized delivery recipient on a speaker onthe modular mobile autonomy control module once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly is within the threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information.

In another example, step 6325 may implement notifications of theapproaching delivery wirelessly. For example, step 6325 may have method6300 proceeding with transmitting a delivery notification message (e.g.,with an estimated time of arrival) to an external wireless node once themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within the thresholdnotification range of the destination location identified by thedestination information, where the external wireless node is related tothe authorized delivery recipient according to the destination deliveryinformation; and/or transmitting a delivery notification message to suchan external wireless node after the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly moves from the hold-at-location logistics facility itself.

At step 6330, method 6300 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module monitoring, using its wireless radio transceiver, fordelivery recipient authentication input. If delivery recipientauthentication input is received, as monitored by the modular mobileautonomy control module, from a delivery recipient disposed external tothe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the destinationlocation, then step 6330 proceeds to decision step 6335 where themodular mobile autonomy control module determines if the deliveryrecipient input received in step 6330 correlates to the deliveryauthentication information (i.e., indicating that the delivery recipientproviding the delivery recipient authentication input is the authorizeddelivery recipient). Thus, when the delivery recipient input correlatesto the deliver authentication information (e.g., matches to at leastpart of the authentication information), step 6335 proceeds to step6340. If not, then step 6335 returns to step 6330 for continuedmonitoring.

In more detail, step 6330 may receive recipient authentication input invarious ways in different embodiments of method 6300. For example, thedelivery recipient authentication input received by the modular mobileautonomy control module may be provided by the delivery recipientthrough a user input panel disposed on the modular autonomous botapparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g.,with an access code provided by the delivery recipient through the userinput panel, and/or biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel) and/or may be provided by the deliveryrecipient through an external wireless node disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (e.g., with wirelesslyprovided access code input and/or biometric input provided through anapp on the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly).

In a further example of step 6330, the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility may include an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the deliverable item for transport as part of thedispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility. In such a situation, the step of receiving the deliveryrecipient authentication input may have the modular mobile autonomycontrol module detecting an advertising signal as the delivery recipientauthentication input from an external wireless node within apredetermined range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at thedestination location identified by the destination information; andauthenticating that the external wireless node is associated with theauthorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system based upon the identifier of the authorizeddelivery recipient and identifier information within the detectedadvertising signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

In still another example of step 6330, the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility may include an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the deliverable item for transport as part of thedispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility. As such, the step of receiving the delivery recipientauthentication input may have the modular mobile autonomy control moduledetecting an unprompted (e.g., not as a result of interrogating)advertising signal from an external wireless node within a predeterminedrange of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at the destinationlocation identified by the destination information; and establishing asecure association between the external node and the modular mobileautonomy control module after detecting the unprompted advertisingsignal from the external wireless node. In this example, the secureassociation between the external node and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module enables and allows secure sharing of information betweenthe external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module andbeing pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to thedispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility.

At step 6340, method 6300 proceeds with the modular cargo storage systemproviding selective access to the deliverable item within the modularcargo storage system only when the delivery recipient authenticationinput correlates to the delivery authentication information indicatingthat the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipientauthentication input is the authorized delivery recipient. In moredetail, step 6340 may provide selective access to the deliverable itemwith the modular mobile autonomy control module actuating (or otherwiseactivating or causing movement of) an actuated cargo door disposed onthe modular auxiliary power module to an open position once the deliveryrecipient authentication input correlates to a portion of theauthentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation.

A further example of step 6340 may involve the modular mobile autonomycontrol module actuating the actuated cargo door comprises actuating anactuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuated cargodoor to move from the closed position to the open position; actuating anelectro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargo door to cause the actuatedcargo door to unlock before moving from the closed position to the openposition; actuating an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modularcargo storage system to move the deliverable item out from a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system; actuating an actuatedgrabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab andmove the deliverable item out from a payload area within the modularcargo storage system; and or actuating an actuated belt surface disposedon the modular auxiliary power module as a movable support surfaceexposed within a payload area inside the modular cargo storage system,the actuated belt surface being operative when actuated to cause thedeliverable item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move out fromwithin the payload area.

At step 6345, method 6300 proceeds with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module monitoring unloading of the deliverable item from withinthe modular cargo storage system using one or more sensors on at leastone of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargostorage system. In more detail, such monitoring of unloading thedeliverable item may be accomplished by capturing sensor data from thesensors on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control moduleand the modular cargo storage system, and detecting when the deliverableitem is removed based upon the captured sensor data (such as when thesensor data is processed to identify the deliverable item and itsmovements).

In even more detail, such monitoring unloading of the deliverable itemmay involve generating barcode scan data related to the deliverable itemas the deliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem using a barcode scanner as one of the sensors; and processing thegenerated barcode scan data to monitor the deliverable item as thedeliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem. In another detailed example, monitoring unloading of thedeliverable item may involve generating image data related to thedeliverable item as the deliverable item is removed from within themodular cargo storage system using an image sensor as one of thesensors; and processing the generated image data to monitor thedeliverable item as the deliverable item is removed from within themodular cargo storage system. Another example may implement suchmonitoring by generating video data related to the deliverable item asthe deliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem using a video camera as one of the sensors; and processing thegenerated video data to monitor the deliverable item as the deliverableitem is removed from within the modular cargo storage system. Furtherstill, in yet another example, monitoring unloading may be accomplishedby capturing audio using a microphone as one of the sensors disposed torecord sound within and proximate to the modular cargo storage system asthe deliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem; and processing the captured audio data to monitor thedeliverable item as the deliverable item is removed from within themodular cargo storage system.

In other embodiments of method 6300, step 6345 may have the deliverableitem including a wireless mobile node (such as an ID node or masternode, where the node is attached to the item, incorporated within theitem, integrated as part of the packaging of the item, is simplydisposed with the node as they are transported together as a unit). Assuch, the step of monitoring unloading of the deliverable item in stepS640 may be implemented by detecting movement of the wireless mobilenode disposed with the deliverable item as the deliverable item isremoved from within the modular cargo storage system based upon aplurality of signals broadcast from the wireless mobile node disposedwith the deliverable item. In another example, monitoring unloading ofsuch a node-enabled deliverable item may involve detecting a change inlocation of the wireless mobile node disposed with the deliverable itemto outside the modular cargo storage system as the deliverable item isremoved from within the modular cargo storage system as determined bythe modular mobile autonomous control module.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with the various mannersin which step 6345 may monitor the unloading of the deliverable item,further embodiments may combine the different types of sensors and/oruse of wireless nodes with the deliverable item to implement step 6345with an assessment of different types of processed sensor data and/ordifferent monitored signals and locations of a node-enabled deliverableitem when monitoring such unloading activity.

At step 6350, method 6300 proceeds with autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the destination location on a return route to thehold-at-location logistics facility after the deliverable item is nolonger detected within the modular cargo storage system.

A further embodiment of method 6300 may involve a requested pickup of areturn deliverable item at the destination location for the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus to take back to the hold-at-location logisticsfacility for tendering to a separate courier from there. For example,method 6300 may implement step 6350 by having the modular mobileautonomy control module receiving a return delivery dispatch commandfrom the dispatch server before the modular mobility base leaves fromthe destination location. Such a return delivery dispatch command may,for example, be initiated by the authorized delivery recipient of thedeliverable item in a way that has the return delivery dispatch commandextending the dispatched logistics operation. As such, the returndeliver dispatch command may have at least identifier information on areturn deliverable item, transport parameters on the return deliverableitem, and courier authentication information related to an authorizedpickup courier for the return deliverable item. Beyond receiving such areturn delivery dispatch command, this example of step 6350 may alsohave the modular mobile autonomy control module verifying that each ofthe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base,the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage systemare compatible with the extended dispatched logistics operation for thereturn deliverable item based upon the return delivery dispatch command;receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the return deliverableitem from the authorized delivery recipient into the payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system at the destination location after thedeliverable item is no longer detected within the modular cargo storagesystem; and having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from thedestination location to the hold-at-location logistics facility afterthe return deliverable item is detected by the payload monitoringsensors as being placed within the modular cargo storage system.

This further embodiment involving the return deliverable item may alsohave method 6300 having the modular mobile autonomy control modulenotifying personnel at the hold-at-location logistics facility (e.g.,personnel 6235) about an approaching delivery (and estimated time ofarrival in some examples) of the return deliverable item when themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the hold-at-location logistics facility. Suchnotifications may, for example, come in the form of generating displayalert about the return deliverable item shown on one or more of thedisplays on the modular mobile autonomy control module once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is within the threshold notificationrange of the hold-at-location logistics facility; generating an audionotification about the return deliverable item on a speaker on themodular mobile autonomy control module once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within the threshold notification range of thehold-at-location logistics facility; transmitting a deliverynotification message to an external wireless node once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is within the threshold notificationrange of the hold-at-location logistics facility, the external wirelessnode being related to the personnel at the hold-at-location logisticsfacility; and/or transmitting a delivery notification message to anexternal wireless node after the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly moves from the destination location with the return deliverableitem, the external wireless node being related to the personnel at thehold-at-location logistics facility. An embodiment of method 6300 mayalso include providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selectiveaccess to the return deliverable item within the modular cargo storagesystem after the modular mobile base arrives at the hold-at-locationlogistics facility.

Rather than coming back with a return deliverable item, furtherembodiments of method 6300 may have the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly dispatched for the particular deliverable item dropped off atthe destination continuing to another destination location to deliveranother deliverable item for another customer. In more detail, anexample of such a further embodiment of method 6300 may have thedelivery dispatch command received in step 6305 further includingidentifier information on an additional deliverable item, additionaldestination delivery information related to drop-off of the additionaldeliverable item, and additional delivery authentication informationrelated to a secondary authorized delivery recipient of the additionaldeliverable item. Additionally, this further embodiment of method 6300may further include having the modular cargo storage system receivingthe additional (or secondary) deliverable item from the secured storageat the hold-at-location logistics facility into the payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system at the hold-at-location logisticsfacility (e.g., into a different partitioned compartment of the payloadarea within exemplary CSS 1720). As such in this embodiment of method6300 involving multiple deliverable items being transported from thehold-at-location logistics facility, step 6340 of providing selectiveaccess to the deliverable item within the modular cargo storage systemmay be implemented with the modular cargo storage system providingselective access to only the first deliverable item (not the additionaldeliverable item) within the modular cargo storage system when thedelivery recipient authentication input correlates to the deliveryauthentication information indicating that the delivery recipientproviding the delivery recipient authentication input is the authorizeddelivery recipient. And also in this embodiment of method 6300 involvingmultiple deliverable items being transported from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility, step 6350 may be implemented by with the sub-stepsof (a) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationto a secondary delivery location after the deliverable item is detectedto be removed from within the modular cargo storage system at thedestination location (where the secondary delivery location isidentified by the additional destination delivery information in thedelivery dispatch command); (b) receiving secondary delivery recipientauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma second delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly at the secondary destination location; (c)providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access to onlythe additional deliverable item within the modular cargo storage systemwhen the secondary delivery recipient authentication input correlates tothe secondary delivery authentication information indicating that thesecond delivery recipient providing the secondary delivery recipientauthentication input is the secondary authorized delivery recipient ofthe additional deliverable item; and (d) autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the secondary delivery location to the hold-at-locationlogistics facility after the additional deliverable item is no longerdetected within the modular cargo storage system.

In the embodiments shown and discussed above relative to FIGS. 62 and63, the secured storage enclosure or logistics receptacle was notrequired to be an interactive or remotely controlled secure storageenclosure or logistics receptacle. But in further embodiments, anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly (such as assembly 1700) mayinteract with and exemplary enhanced, remotely controlled secure storageenclosure or logistics receptacle that can even further improve andenhance automated dispatched logistics operations. For example, anexemplary MALVT bot apparatus may be alerted of object at a logisticsreceptacle (such as a drop box or a “ship & get” (SNG) parcel locker forparcel drop-off and pickup). A dispatch system (such as a dispatchserver) may dispatch the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to the drop box.The drop box may be a self-monitoring box with wireless communications(e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, ZigBee, and the like) andsensor-enabled so that the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may communicatewith the drop box using such wireless formats and/or using TRONadvertising and associating techniques that allow for secure exchange ofdata. The exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may interact with the dropbox/SNG to, for example, dock with the drop box/SNG, gain access to andcustody of the object (e.g., a deliverable item) from the drop box/SNG.

In general, such an improved drop box (generally referred to as aremotely controlled or actuated logistics receptacle) may include aremote access module that responsively actuates an access door for thedrop box and SNG. Such an improved drop box may also have remotelycontrolled actuators that cause the object to move out of the dropbox/SNG (e.g., via tilting of a base support, articulation of a pushingarm to push the object out of the opened access door, and the like). Assuch, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus may communicate with the dropbox/SNG to cause the box to open and cause the object to be removed fromthe box and placed into the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus (e.g., on anopen cargo access door of the CSS component, and then slid into thestorage area of the CSS component) so as to allow the exemplary MALVTbot apparatus to autonomously operate the box and make unmannedpick-ups. In more detail, the drop box may be operative to alert adispatch system when it has a pick-up ready within its storage contents,which in turn the dispatch system to dispatches an appropriatelyconfigured exemplary MALVT bot apparatus to pick up the object (e.g., anappropriately sized and capable MALVT bot apparatus configured tosupport and handle the size and weight of the object to be picked up).The selective nature of assembling the right type and configuration ofan exemplary MALVT bot apparatus for a particular one or more objects tobe picked up allows for enhanced pickup services for the drop box. Theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus operates with the modular drop-box inorder to retrieve the object, ensure that the exemplary MALVT botapparatus has all items from the box's inventory, and returns to thedispatching station (or another waypoint location) to inject one or moreof the picked up objects into a further delivery network.

FIGS. 64A-64H are diagrams of an exemplary modular autonomous logisticstransport vehicle apparatus (MALVT bot apparatus) interfacing andinteracting with an exemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptaclethat may be located at a hold-at-location logistics facility inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG.64A, an embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 isshown approaching exemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400in order to interactively dock with receptacle 6400 and pick updeliverable item 6425 using enhanced and improved actuation features oneach of assembly 1700 and receptacle 6400. In more detail, exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400 is shown having logisticsreceptacle 6410 for receiving and temporarily maintaining an objectdeposited for shipment (e.g., deliverable item 6425). In one embodiment,the logistics receptacle 6410 may, for example, be a drop box receptacleor parcel locker receptacle. In another embodiment, such a logisticsreceptacle 6410 may be implemented as one of multiple of secure storagelogistic receptacles (e.g., secured storage enclosures 6220 a-6220 c) ata location, such as hold-at-location logistics facility 6200.

Exemplary logistics receptacle 6410 is generally an example of a storageenclosure having an entrance opening that may be sealed/closed oraccessed/opened by access door 6430. The storage enclosure formed bylogistics receptacle 6410 defines a temporary storage area within whichdeliverable item 6425 may be temporarily maintained. The entranceopening covered by door 6430 is an opening through which item 6425 canpass when the item 6425 is being retrieved from the storage enclosureformed by logistics receptacle 6410.

An exemplary wireless node-based remote access control module 6415, aspart of receptacle 6400, is shown disposed with the logistics receptacle6410 and operatively connected to at least sensors 6420 a-6420 c (formonitoring the interior of receptacle 6410 and detecting deposits ofitems within receptacle 6410), door actuator 6435, and parcel objectactuator 6440. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that controlmodule 6415 may be implemented as a processing-based, programmabledevice such as an ID node or master node with communicationsconnectivity to dispatch server 6205, and having an integrated wirelessradio transceiver for communications with at least autonomous controller3100 of exemplary MAM 1725 on exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700. As such, an embodiment of wireless node-based remote accesscontrol module 6415 may have such a controller as wells a control modulememory coupled to the controller and a wireless communication interface(e.g., a wireless radio transceiver) coupled to the controller. Thecontrol module memory maintains at least remote storage access programcode and pickup authentication information related to an authorizedpickup logistics operation for the object (e.g., deliverable item 6425)by the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle as an authorizedpickup entity for the object deposited for shipment. The wirelesscommunication interface operatively coupled to the controller provides awireless communication path to the dispatched mobile autonomous deliveryvehicle (e.g., exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700).

The door actuator 6435 as shown in FIG. 64A as part of exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400 couples the access door 6430and the storage enclosure of receptacle 6410 so that door actuator 6435,as operatively activated by the controller, selectively causing theaccess door 6430 to open when activated to move from the closed positionto the open position and selectively cause the access door 6430 closewhen activated to move the access door from the open position to closedposition. While shown in a general position in FIG. 64A, those skilledin the art will appreciate that embodiments of door actuator 6435 may beimplemented with hinge or joint actuators, actuated shock assemblies, orother actuated mechanical, magnetic, hydraulic or other manners ofactuated movement that causes a change of position for door 6430 betweenopen and closed positions in response to control input from thecontroller of control module 6415.

The parcel object actuator 6440, as shown in FIG. 64A, is shown with aan exemplary moving belt surface 6460 controlled by actuator 6440 inresponse to operative activation by the controller in control module6415. As such, the parcel object actuator 6440 (and its moving beltsurface 6460) selectively causes item 6425 to move out of the temporarystorage area within receptacle 6410 and through the entrance openingnormally sealed by door 6430.

FIG. 64A also shows structure that may be used for securely docking theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and the exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400. As shown in FIG. 64A, adocking interface is shown as a mated alignment interface 6455 disposedon extended engagement barrier 6445 disposed on the exterior of thelogistics receptacle 6410 and below the entrance opening. In general,such a docking interface extends from the logistics receptacle 6410 as acontact registration point for engaging the dispatched mobile autonomousdelivery vehicle when the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicleapproaches the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle apparatus 6400 aspart of an authorized pickup logistics operation. The contactregistration point may be a mated alignment interface 6455 configured tofit with a corresponding mated alignment interface 6450 on thedispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle when the dispatched mobileautonomous delivery vehicle approaches and engages the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle apparatus as part of the authorized pickuplogistics operation.

In the example shown in FIG. 64A, extended engagement barrier 6445allows for docking to occur (between mated alignment interface 6455 thatfits with a corresponding mated alignment interface 6450 on theexemplary modular mobility base 1705 of the dispatched MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700) so as to allow for room for respective doors onthe receptacle 6400 and assembly 1700 to be deployed (as shown in FIG.64C). However, in other embodiments, receptacle 6400 and assembly 1700may securely dock in closer proximity where the respective openings ineach of receptacle 6400 and the CSS 1720 on assembly 1700 can line up ina closer manner to allow for enhanced transfer of the item 6425 from thereceptacle 6400 into the CSS 1720 of assembly 1700.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in FIG. 64A, the dockinginterfaces (e.g., mated alignment interfaces 6450/6455) may beimplemented by one or more sets of latches disposed on an outwardperipheral edge of the extended engagement barrier, where such latchesare configured and disposed to mate with a set of complementary latcheson the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle (e.g., an outwardperipheral edge of the exemplary mobility base 1705). Such latches maybe implemented as recessed latches, interlocking latches, and/or asactuated latches activated by a controller on the respective structure(e.g., one set of latches actuated by the controller in control module6415 to move and engage a mated set of latches on the dispatched mobileautonomous delivery vehicle to secure the dispatched mobile autonomousdelivery vehicle to the extended engagement barrier of the logisticsreceptacle). In like manner, the latches on the dispatched mobileautonomous delivery vehicle (e.g., assembly 1700) may be actuated tomove and engage a mated set of latches on the exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle. Actuation of such latches may beinitiated through proximity sensor data and signals provided by, forexample, autonomous control system 3100 on exemplary MAM 1725 based onsensor data provided by the mobility controller on exemplary mobilitybase 1705, as well as communication of such processed proximity sensordata between autonomous control system 3100 and the controller incontrol module 6415. Actuation of such latches may be initiated throughproximity sensor data and signals provided by, in another example,receptacle 6400 when equipped with its own proximity sensors operativelycoupled to the controller in control module 6415 to generate responsivelatch control signals for latches 6455 while in communication withautonomous control system 3100 on exemplary MAM 1725. As such, when theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 approaches exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400, the respective controlsystems may communicate and implement secure docking of the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and exemplary remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle 6400.

In the context of such exemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptacle6400 and as the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 approachedthe exemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400 to pickupdeliverable item 6425, the controller in control module 6415, whenexecuting the remote storage access program code, is operative toreceive a pickup authentication signal over the wireless communicationinterface from an external wireless node (such as the autonomous controlsystem 3100 in exemplary MAM). In some embodiments, the pickupauthentication signal may be received before secure docking and simplywhile on assembly 1700 is on approach as part of an authorized pickuplogistics operation. However, in other embodiments, the pickupauthentication signal may be received only after secure docking, asshown in FIG. 64B.

Referring now to FIG. 64C, the controller in the control module 6415,when executing the remote storage access program code, is operative totransmit a first remote control actuation signal to the door actuator6435 only if the received pickup authentication signal is determined tobe from the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle as theauthorized pickup entity according to the pickup authenticationinformation in the control module memory. As such, the first remotecontrol actuation signal activating the door actuator 6435 causes theaccess door 6430 to open. As shown in the example of FIG. 64C, accessdoor 6430 opens first. The controller in control module 6415 maytransmit an open door acknowledgement signal to autonomous controlsystem 3100, which then actuates cargo door 1715 to open as shown inFIG. 64C.

Referring now to FIG. 64D, deliverable item 6425 is then moved out ofreceptacle 6400 automatically. This may have the controller of thecontrol module 6415, when executing the remote storage access programcode, transmitting a remote control actuation signal to the parcelobject actuator 6440 once the access door is open and only if thereceived pickup authentication signal is determined to be from thedispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle as the authorized pickupentity according to the pickup authentication information in the controlmodule memory. As such, the remote control actuation signal activatingthe parcel object actuator 6440 causes moving belt surface 6460 to moveas part of the parcel object actuator), which causes the deliverableitem 6425 to move towards and through the entrance opening.

As shown in FIG. 64E, dispensing delivery item 6425 may also beaccomplished through another type of parcel object actuator 6440—namely,an articulating arm 6470 that is activated to cause the deliverable item6425 to be removed from the temporary storage area of receptacle 6400and placed into custody of the dispatched mobile autonomous deliveryvehicle (e.g., into exemplary CSS 1720 of assembly 1700 as shown in FIG.64F). In further embodiments, the parcel object actuator 6440 may beimplemented as an actuated support base that temporarily maintains thedeliverable item 6425 deposited for shipment, and where the actuatedsupport base is operative when actuated to tilt towards the entranceopening (e.g., a tiltable base in place of the moving belt surface 6460)causing the deliverable item 6425 being shipped to at least slidetowards the entrance opening. In another example, the parcel objectactuator may be implemented as an actuated pushing arm (similar topiston like arm that pushes the item in a particular direction) that isoperative when actuated to contact the deliverable item 6425 beingshipped and at least push the deliverable item 6425 being shippedtowards the entrance opening. Further examples may have an actuatedsliding arm and/or actuated grabbing arm (similar to sweeping arms 2085,2700, and grabbing arms 2090, 2710) as the parcel object actuator tomanipulate the deliverable item 6425 and remove it from receptacle 6400and onto/into assembly 1700.

Movement/dispensing of the deliverable item 6425 may, in someembodiments, only occur after the controller in the control module 6415receives a “ready” indication signal from the autonomous control system3100 in exemplary MAM 1725 of assembly 1700. For example, the controllerin the control module 6415, when executing the remote storage accessprogram code, may be further operative to receive a ready confirmationsignal over the wireless communication interface from the dispatchedmobile autonomous deliver vehicle as the authorized pickup entity. Insuch an embodiment, only after the controller received the readyconfirmation signal from the dispatched mobile autonomous delivervehicle (e.g., assembly 1700) as the authorized pickup entity does thecontroller transmit the remote control actuation signal to the parcelobject actuator causing the object to move through the entrance openingas shown in FIGS. 64D and 64E.

In FIG. 64G, the process of automatically transferring the deliverableitem 6425 from the exemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400to the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 has been completes,so the respective controllers actuate their respective doors to a closedposition and undock so exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 canmove away and proceed to deliver the item 6425 to another location asshown in FIG. 64H.

In a further embodiment, the pickup authentication process betweenexemplary remotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400 and exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 may involve node association in orderto first establish a secure communication path between the exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400 and exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700. In such an embodiment, for example, thecontroller of the control module 6415 may be operative to determine ifthe received pickup authentication signal from the dispatched mobileautonomous delivery vehicle is from the authorized pickup entityaccording to the pickup authentication information in the control modulememory by being operative to generate association data indicating asecure association between the external node (e.g., the autonomouscontrol system 3100 in MAM 1725) and the controller in control module6415 after detecting the pickup authentication signal from the externalwireless node. Such secure association between the external node and thecontroller allows secure sharing of information between the externalnode and the controller and being pre-authorized by the dispatch server6205 as indicated by the pickup authentication information related tothe authorized pickup logistics operation. Such pickup authenticationinformation may be received from the dispatch server over the wirelesscommunication interface.

As noted above, sensors 6420 a-6420 c may be used for monitoring theinterior of receptacle 6410 and detecting deposits of items withinreceptacle 6410. For example, when one or more of sensors 6420 a-6420 cdetect a change in what is in the receptacle 6410, the controller ofcontrol module 6415, when executing the remote storage access programcode, may be further operative to receive the sensor data from thesensor, process such data (i.e., the processed sensor data reflectingthe detected deposit of the item deposited for shipment within thestorage enclosure of receptacle 6410), and responsively transmit adispatch request message over the wireless communication interface tothe dispatch server 6205 to initiate dispatch of the dispatched mobileautonomous delivery vehicle (e.g., assembly 1700) for the authorizedpickup logistics operation.

In light of the interactive operations of each of exemplaryremotely-actuated logistics receptacle 6400 and exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 as described above, a more detailed method mayencompass such operations that take place as part of a dispatchedlogistics operation. FIGS. 65A-65B represent a flow diagram of such anembodiment of an exemplary method for performing a dispatched logisticsoperation for a deliverable item maintained within a remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle and using a modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly (MALVT bot apparatus assembly) and a dispatch server inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. An embodiment of method6500 may use an embodiment of exemplary remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle 6400, an embodiment of exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700 (as assembled or after an on-demand assembly) and dispatch server6205. The exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly used(e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 6500 is equipped with at least amodular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705) propelling the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular auxiliary power module(e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power for exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storage system (e.g., exemplaryCSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintain what is transported withinthe exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, and a modular mobileautonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM 1725) with its autonomouscontroller (e.g., autonomous control system 3100) that autonomouslycontrols operation of the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700during method 6500.

Referring now to FIG. 65A, exemplary method 6500 begins at step 6505with the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle detecting the deposit ofthe deliverable item based upon sensor data generated by a sensor withinthe remotely-actuated logistics receptacle. For example, one of thesensors may be an impact sensor and detect the impact from the depositof the deliverable item. In another example, such sensor data may beproximity data reflecting a change in what is nearest to one of thesensors. In other examples, such sensor data that reflects the depositof the deliverable item may come from machine vision sensors, imagesensors, and the like. For node-enabled deliverable items, detecting thedeposit of the deliverable item may involve locating the node with thedeliverable item using the wireless radio transceiver in the controlmodule of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle using node locatingtechniques as described herein.

At step 6510, method 6500 continues with the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle transmitting a dispatch request message to the dispatchserver in response to the detected deposit of the deliverable item. Thedispatch request message includes shipping information on thedeliverable item and identifier information on the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle. In some embodiments, the dispatch request messagemay include identifier information on the deliverable item (e.g., animaged tracking number, barcode scan data on the deliverable item, andthe like), which may allow the dispatch server to look up or request theshipping information on the deliverable item that may then be includedwith any dispatch command generated by the dispatch server.

At step 6515, method 6500 continues with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module receiving a dispatch command from the dispatch server.The dispatch command has at least identifier information on thedeliverable item based upon the shipping information, transportparameters on the deliverable item based upon the shipping information,destination delivery information related to pickup of the deliverableitem, and pickup authentication information related to the modularautonomous bot assembly as an authorized pickup entity for thedeliverable item. In more detail, the destination delivery informationrelated to pickup of the deliverable item may include an identifier ofone of several secure storage enclosures within the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle that temporarily maintains the deliverable item.

At step 6520, method 6500 has the modular mobile autonomy control moduleverifying that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system are compatible with transporting thedeliverable item as part of the dispatched logistics operation for thedeliverable item based upon the dispatch command. In one example, step6520 may be implemented by verifying that at least the modular cargostorage system is compatible with a size of the deliverable itemaccording to the transport parameters identified on the deliverable itemin the dispatch command. In another example, step 6520 may beimplemented by verifying that at least the modular cargo storage systemis compatible with a weight of the deliverable item according to thetransport parameters on the deliverable item identified in the dispatchcommand.

In a more detail example, a further embodiment of step 6520 may have themodular mobile autonomy control module verifying that at least themodular cargo storage system is compatible with the transport parameterson the deliverable item identified in the dispatch command; and thentransmitting a configuration change request to the dispatch server ifthe at least modular cargo storage system is verified to be incompatiblewith the transport parameters on the deliverable item, the configurationchange request identifying that the at least modular cargo storagesystem are incompatible with the transport parameters on the deliverableitem. In more detail, the modular mobile autonomy control module maytransmit the configuration change request to the dispatch server if theat least modular cargo storage system is verified to be incompatiblewith the transport parameters on the deliverable item prior to when themodular mobile autonomy control module causes the modular mobility baseto move from the bot storage location.

At step 6525, method 6500 continues with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom a bot storage location to a location of the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle as identified by the destination deliveryinformation in the dispatch command. On approach to the location of theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle, method 6500 has the modularmobile autonomy control module broadcasting, at step 6530, a pickupauthentication signal when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyis within a threshold notification range of the location of theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle. At step 6535, method 6500continues with the modular mobile autonomy control module autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move to a receiving positionproximate an access door on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacleupon arrival at the location of the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle.

At step 6540, method 6500 has the remotely-actuated logistics receptacledetecting the pickup authentication signal from the modular mobileautonomy control module. In some embodiments of step 6540, detecting thepickup authentication signal may involve node association actions takento establish a secure association between the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle and the modular mobile autonomy control module. Inmore detail, an embodiment of step 6540 may be accomplished with theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle detecting an advertising signalfrom the modular mobile autonomy control module; and then establishing asecure association between the remotely-actuated logistics receptacleand the modular mobile autonomy control module after detecting theadvertising signal. The establishment of such a secure association isdone by generating association data stored on the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle indicating the secure association and allowingsecure sharing of information between the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle and the modular mobile autonomy control module. Such a secureassociation is pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates tothe dispatched logistics operation for the deliverable item. Thisembodiment of step 6540 continues by having the modular mobile autonomycontrol module securely transmitting the pickup authentication signal tothe remotely-actuated logistics receptacle once the secure associationis established and the association data is generated; and securelyreceiving, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, the pickupauthentication signal from the modular mobile autonomy control module.

After step 6540, method 6500 continues through transition A to step 6545on FIG. 65B. Referring now to step 6545 on FIG. 65B, method 6500continues with authenticating, by the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle, that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is theauthorized pickup entity for the deliverable item when authenticationinformation in the pickup authentication signal correlates to the pickupauthentication information from the dispatch command.

At step 6550, method 6500 continues with the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle activating a door actuator on the remotely actuated logisticsreceptacle after authenticating that the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is the authorized pickup entity based upon the pickupauthentication signal. Activating the door actuator causes the accessdoor on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle to move from a secureclosed position to an open position, such as shown in FIG. 64C. In moredetail, activating the door actuator may involve activating, by theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle, the door actuator on theremotely actuated logistics receptacle (a) after authenticating that themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is the authorized pickupentity based upon the pickup authentication signal and (b) afterreceiving a door activation request signal from the modular mobileautonomy control module.

At step 6555, method 6500 continues with the modular mobile autonomycontrol module broadcasting a ready confirmation signal once the modularmobility base is located at the receiving position proximate the accessdoor on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle. Thereafter, at step6560, method 6500 continues with the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle activating a parcel object actuator (i.e., a type of objectmanipulation device or system) on the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle in response to the ready confirmation signal from the modularmobile autonomy control module and only if the authenticationinformation in the pickup authentication signal correlates to the pickupauthentication information from the dispatch command. Activating theparcel object actuator moves the deliverable item from where it ismaintained in the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle and into thecustody of the modular cargo storage system.

In more detail, further embodiments of step 6560 involving activing theparcel object actuator may activate the parcel object actuator bycausing the parcel object actuator to remove the deliverable item fromthe remotely-actuated logistics receptacle and transfer the deliverableitem to an articulating object receiver (e.g., an articulating arm, anactuated sliding arm, an actuated grabbing arm, an actuated beltsurface, and the like) on the modular cargo storage system beingcontrolled by the modular mobile autonomy control module. Additionally,this may involve the further steps of receiving, by the articulatingobject receiver on the modular cargo storage system under control of themodular mobile autonomy control module, the deliverable item from theparcel object actuator on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;and placing, by the articulating object receiver on the modular cargostorage system under control of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the deliverable item within the modular cargo storage system.

In still another embodiment of step 6560, more detailed types of parcelobject actuators may be deployed. For example, step 6560 may involveactivating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, an actuatedsupport base within a storage compartment of the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle in response to the ready confirmation signal. Sucha support base, when activated, may cause the actuated support base totilt towards an entrance opening to the storage compartment at theaccess door and cause the deliverable item to at least slide towards theentrance opening. Such an actuated support base may have an adjustablesuspension system, similar to that described above relative to exemplarymodular mobility base 1705 and its ability to tilt and lift.

In another example, step 6560 may involve activating, by theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle, an actuated pushing arm within astorage compartment of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle inresponse to the ready confirmation signal, where activating the actuatedpushing arm causes the actuated pushing arm to contact the deliverableitem and at least push the deliverable item towards an entrance openingto the storage compartment at the access door. Further still, anotherexample of step 6560 may involve activating, by the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle, an actuated sliding arm within a storagecompartment of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response tothe ready confirmation signal, where activating the actuated sliding armcauses the actuated sliding arm to contact the deliverable item and atleast slide the deliverable item towards an entrance opening to thestorage compartment at the access door. Such an actuated sliding arm maybe implemented similar to that described above regarding actuatedsliding arms 2085.

In yet another example of step 6560, activating the parcel objectactuator may involve activating, by the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle, an actuated grabbing arm within a storage compartment of theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response to the readyconfirmation signal, wherein activating the actuated grabbing arm causesthe actuated grabbing arm to engage the deliverable item, move thedeliverable item towards and through an entrance opening to the storagecompartment at the access door, and place the deliverable item into themodular cargo storage system. Such an actuated grabbing arm may beimplemented similar to that described above regarding actuated grabbingarm 2090.

In yet another example of step 6560, activating the parcel objectactuator may involve activating, by the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle, an actuated belt surface in response to the readyconfirmation signal, the actuated belt surface temporarily supportingthe deliverable item within a storage compartment of theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle, where activating the actuatedbelt surface causes the actuated moving surface to move the deliverableitem towards and through an entrance opening to the storage compartmentat the access door. Such an actuated belt surface may be implementedsimilar to that described above regarding actuated belt surface 2080 b.Furthermore, such an actuated belt surface in step 6560 may include anactuated belt surface on an inner surface of the actuated door (similarto that of belt surface 2080 a).

At step 6565, method 6500 continues with autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle to a destinationlocation for delivery of the deliverable item, the destination locationbeing identified as part of the destination delivery information fromthe dispatch command.

A further embodiment of method 6500 may also have the dispatch serverinitiating a configuration change operation on the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly to change at least one of the modular mobileautonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system that areverified to be incompatible with transporting the deliverable item aspart of the dispatched logistics operation for the deliverable itembased upon the dispatch command prior to when the modular mobileautonomy control module causes the modular mobility base to move fromthe bot storage location.

In still a further embodiment, an exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly, such as assembly 1700, may itself be configured to deploy andoperate as a temporary hold-at-location secure storage while on thedispatched logistics operation. FIG. 66 is a flow diagram of anembodiment of an exemplary method for performing a dispatchedhold-at-location logistics operation for a deliverable item from anorigin location using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyoperating as a temporary hold-at-location logistics receptacle and adispatch server in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Anembodiment of method 6600 may use an embodiment of exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 (as assembled or after an on-demand assembly)and dispatch server 6205. The exemplary modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly used (e.g., assembly 1700) as part of method 6600 is equippedwith at least a modular mobility base (e.g., exemplary MB 1705)propelling the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modularauxiliary power module (e.g., exemplary APM 1710) providing power forexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700, a modular cargo storagesystem (e.g., exemplary CSS 1720) configured to temporarily maintainwhat is transported within the exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly1700, and a modular mobile autonomy control module (e.g., exemplary MAM1725) with its autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous control system3100) that autonomously controls operation of the exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly 1700 during method 6600.

Referring now to FIG. 66, method 6600 begins at step 6605 with (a) themodular mobile autonomy control module receiving a delivery dispatchcommand for the dispatched hold-at-location logistics operation from thedispatch server. The delivery dispatch command received from thedispatch server has at least identifier information on the deliverableitem, transport parameters on the deliverable item, hold-at-locationinformation related to an intermediate hold location for the deliverableitem as maintained within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly,and delivery authentication information related to an authorizeddelivery recipient of the deliverable item.

In more detail, an embodiment of step 6605 may have the hold-at-locationinformation related to the intermediate hold location identifying thatlocation being at a hold-at-location logistics facility (such asfacility 6200). In other embodiments, the intermediate hold location maybe designated, according to the dispatch command, to be the location ofa mobile external wireless node designated as part of thehold-at-location information. Such a mobile external wireless node may,for example, be a delivery vehicle master node disposed with a deliveryvehicle (such as a courier's remotely located delivery vehicle), adelivery courier master node operated by delivery personnel (such asexemplary courier mobile wireless node 5760), or a mobile master nodeoperated by a designated alternative recipient (who is identified by theauthorized delivery recipient according to the hold-at-locationinformation and the delivery authentication information in the dispatchcommand).

At step 6610, method 6600 proceeds with (b) the modular mobile autonomycontrol module verifying that each of the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with thedispatched hold-at-location logistics operation for the deliverable itembased upon the delivery dispatch command. In this way, as describedabove, replacement modular components may be swapped out so that theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly being dispatched for thisparticular logistics operation has, for example, components of the rightsize, the sufficient level of readiness (e.g., calibration state onsensors, charge state on power sources), and use of components that areauthorized to be used for such a dispatched hold-at-location logisticsoperation.

Once verification has been accomplished in step 6610, method 6600proceeds to step 6615 with (c) the modular cargo storage systemreceiving the deliverable item into a payload area within the modularcargo storage system at the origin location. Thereafter, at step 6620,method 6600 proceeds with (d) the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to move from the originalon a route to the intermediate hold location identified by thehold-at-location information.

At step 6625, method 6600 continues with (e) the modular mobile autonomycontrol module notifying the authorized delivery recipient of thedeliverable item of an approaching arrival at the intermediate holdlocation when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within athreshold notification range of the intermediate hold locationidentified by the hold-at-location information. Such a step may beaccomplished in the variety of manners similar that described aboverelative to step 6530.

At step 6630, method 6600 proceeds with (f) receiving delivery recipientauthentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module froma delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly at the intermediate hold location. Thus, theexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly that has been sent on thisdispatched hold-at-location logistics operation waits at theintermediate hold location (as a type of secured storage itself) andmonitors for delivery recipient authentication input from the receptionrange of the wireless radio transceiver that is part of the exemplaryMAM on this exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly.

At step 6635, method 6600 proceeds with (g) the modular cargo storagesystem providing selective access to the deliverable item within themodular cargo storage system only when the delivery recipientauthentication input correlates to the delivery authenticationinformation indicating that the delivery recipient providing thedelivery recipient authentication input is the authorized deliveryrecipient.

At step 6640, method 6600 proceeds with (h) the modular mobile autonomycontrol module monitoring unloading of the deliverable item from withinthe modular cargo storage system using one or more sensors on at leastone of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargostorage system. Such monitoring of the unloading process may involvedifferent types of sensors and processing of such sensor data generatedto identify and track the deliverable item as it is removed from withinthe modular cargo storage system similar to that described with respectto step S140 and its variations.

At step 6645, method 6600 proceeds with (i) the modular mobile autonomycontrol module autonomously causing the modular mobility base to movefrom the intermediate hold location on a return route to the originlocation after the deliverable item is no longer detected within themodular cargo storage system.

In more detail, an embodiment of method 6600 may implement steps (f) and(g) in more detail as involving waiting for the required deliveryrecipient authentication input prior to a time deadline (e.g., closingof the hold-at-location logistics facility 6200 where the exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly dispatched on this particularhold-at-location logistics operation is waiting at the intermediate holdlocation). For example, this may have an embodiment of method 6600implementing the steps of (f) receiving delivery recipientauthentication input and (g) providing selective access to thedeliverable item by having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to wait at theintermediate hold location for at least until a pre-determined closingtime of the hold-at-location facility; and then having the modular cargostorage system at the direction of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule providing selective access to the deliverable item when themodular mobile autonomy control module detects the delivery recipientauthentication input and determines the detected delivery authenticationinput indicates the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipientauthentication input is the authorized delivery recipient and thepre-determined deadline for closing of the hold-at-location facility hasnot yet expired.

In another example, this type of embodiment may have method implementingsteps (f)-(i) by having the modular mobile autonomy control moduleautonomously causing the modular mobility base to wait at theintermediate hold location for at least until a pre-determined closingtime of the hold-at-location facility, and then monitoring for receiptof delivery recipient authentication input from the authorized deliveryrecipient according to the delivery authentication information. Themodular mobile autonomy control module is then, as part of thisembodiment of method 6600, autonomously causing the modular mobilitybase to move from the intermediate hold location to the origin locationwhen the pre-determined deadline for closing of the hold-at-locationfacility has expired and the monitoring has not indicated receipt of thedelivery recipient authentication input from the authorized deliveryrecipient. Thereafter, this embodiment of method 6600 repeats steps(d)-(i) after a subsequent pre-determined opening time of thehold-at-location facility. As such, the exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly dispatched to be the hold-at-location secure storage canadaptively locate as a dynamically autonomous and relocatablehold-at-location secure storage as part of delivering the deliverableitem.

Single Logistics Operation in Multiple Legs Using Different AutonomousBots

As noted above, an exemplary system embodiment may deploy multipleexemplary modular components (e.g., MB units, MAM units) operating in a“collaboration mode” as part of an exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly. This ability to have exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies(or modular components of such assemblies) cooperate may be extended foruse on general autonomous logistics vehicle transports and improvedpickup/delivery/transfer operations to involve directed and/orautonomous vehicle-to-vehicle transfers of the deliverable item.

In further embodiments, multiple MALVT bot apparatus assemblies may beused as part of a single logistics operation, such as a pickup operationor a delivery operation, having multiple legs of the operation (e.g., afirst leg that involves pickup from an initial location and transit to awaypoint location for transfer to another for a second leg, and wherethe second leg involves receipt of the payload and transit from thewaypoint location to a second location). In other words, this additionaltype of embodiment may implement a single multi-leg logistics operationwith multiple different node-enabled autonomous vehicle transports (alsoreferenced as node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles (NEATV),node-enabled autonomous vehicles (NEAVs) or autonomous transportvehicles (AVs)). For example, an exemplary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle (NEAVT) may be implemented by exemplary MALVT botapparatus assembly. In other examples, an exemplary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle (NEAVT) may be implemented by an autonomoustransport vehicle that is node-enabled but not necessarily a modularassembly of swappable components that may be assembled on-demand.

In a general embodiment, an exemplary system of multiple AVs may be usedto conduct a single multi-leg logistics operation. In some embodiments,one of the AVs may be deemed a “main” or “primary” AV and cover one partof the logistics operation, while the other may be a “secondary” AV tocover the remainder of the logistics operation. As part of the overalllogistic operation, whether a pickup or delivery operation, thedifferent AV devices (e.g., different exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassemblies, which may be referred to herein as different node-enabledAVs) may be dispatched and meet in a coordinated manner to align witheach other and transfer the cargo/payload of what is being transported(e.g., the item being transported, a payload container that maintainsone or more items being transported) from one of the AV units/assembliesto the other, which then has the other AV unit/assembly moving on tocomplete the logistics operation (which may involve a further transferto another AV or delivery at a designated location).

FIG. 67 is a diagram of an exemplary system 6702 having multipleexemplary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles 6700 a, 6700 b anda dispatch server 6701 that may communicate with each of vehicles 6700a, 6700 b in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Exemplarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles 6700 a, 6700 b in theembodiment shown in FIG. 67 may be implemented similar to exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and those skilled in the art willappreciate that components described above related to assembly 1700 maydeployed on either of exemplary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles 6700 a, 6700 b. Referring now to FIG. 67, exemplarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 a is shown in aconfigurations with mobility base 6705 a, auxiliary power module 6710 a,cargo storage system 6720 a, and a modular autonomy module 6725 a.Exemplary mobility base 6705 a is an example of a mobile transportvehicle base the propels vehicle 6700 a. Base 6705 a includes exemplarypropulsion system 6730 a and steering system 6735 a (similar topropulsion system 1830 and steering system 1835 on exemplary modularmobility base 1705) that may be controlled locally through a mobilitycontroller (not shown but similar to mobility controller 1825) on base6705 a or may be controlled by controller 6770 a through connectionsover bus 6785 a (a common power and data conduit or transport bussimilar to that of buses 1860, 2050, 2250, 3115 explained above). Assuch, exemplary propulsion system 6730 a and steering system 6735 a areconfigured to control and move the exemplary mobile transport vehiclebase 6705 a in response to a control input from controller 6770 a.

Mobility base 6705 a also includes sensors 6740 a (similar to sensors1815) that may include, for example, front AV sensors, such as cameras,proximity sensors, IR sensors, LiDAR sensors, environmental sensors,light sensors, motion detectors, tilt sensors, impact sensors, and thelike. Such sensors 6740 a may be accompanied with lights to aid with thegeneration of useful sensor data by sensors 6740 a. Sensor datagenerated by sensors 6740 a is provided via bus 6785 a to controller6770 a for processing and use during operation of vehicle 6700 a.

An exemplary docking interface 6745 a is shown disposed on mobility base6705 a in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 67. Such a dockinginterface 6745 a may be implemented as a contact registration point forengaging vehicle 6700 a with another AV (such as vehicle 6700 b).Further embodiments of docking interface 6745 a may include one or moresets of latches disposed on an outward peripheral edge of the mobilitybase 6705 a, where such latches are configured and disposed to mate witha set of complementary latches on other vehicles (e.g., complementarylatches that implement docking interface 6745 b on an outward peripheraledge of the exemplary mobility base 6705 b). Such latches may beimplemented as recessed latches, interlocking latches, and/or asactuated latches activated by controller 6770 a on the respectivestructure (e.g., one set of latches actuated by the controller 6770 a inmodule 6725 a (e.g., an exemplary mobile master node) to move and engagea mated set of latches on another mobile autonomous vehicle 6700 b tosecure vehicle 6700 a to vehicle 6700 b). In like manner, the latches6745 b on vehicle 6700 b may be actuated to move and engage the matedset of latches 6745 a on vehicle 6700 a. Actuation of such latches maybe initiated, for example, based upon proximity sensor data and signalsprovided to controller 6770 a as vehicle 6700 a approaches exemplaryvehicle 6700 b.

While exemplary docking interface 6745 a is shown on the mobility base6705 a, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a dockinginterface may be more than a securable contact point, such as sealedpassageway that may extend from the cargo storage system 6720 a toengage the cargo storage system on another AV and allow for transfer ofitems being carried by vehicle 6700 a into vehicle 6700 b through such asealed passageway, which may be actuated to deploy, seal, and retract inresponse to control signals from controller 6770 a. Further thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of exemplarydocking interface 6745 a may be disposed on different parts of vehicle6700 a and may provide a secured engagement between vehicle 6700 a andanother vehicle with other securing structure, such as keyed captureappendages, abutting seals with actuated clamps to hold the sealstogether, and the like.

Exemplary auxiliary power module 6710 a on exemplary vehicle 6700 a(similar to exemplary APM 1710) includes a power source 6790 a thatprovides power over bus 6785 a and may actuate door 6715 a. Exemplarycargo storage system 6720 a on exemplary vehicle 6700 a (similar toexemplary CSS 1720) provides a payload storage that is configured totemporarily maintain at least one object (such as payload container 6755and deliverable items 6750 a, 6750 b) and also provides part of bus 6785a. Exemplary articulating arm 6760 a is shown disposed within cargostorage system 6720 a and coupled to bus 6785 a as an exampleimplementation of an object manipulation system that may be used withinthe payload area of CSS 6720 a to manipulate the contents of the payloadarea. A further embodiment may have exemplary articulating arm 6760 adisposed on auxiliary power module 6710 a and coupled to bus 6785 a asanother example implementation of an object manipulation system.

Exemplary modular autonomy module 6725 a (similar to autonomous controlsystem 3100) is implemented in this embodiment as a mobile master nodehaving controller 6770 a with memory 6775 a and a wireless communicationinterface 6780 a. Modular autonomy 6725 a, as a mobile master node forvehicle 6700 a, is disposed on the mobile transport vehicle base 6705 a,albeit along with the APM 6710 a and cargo storage system 6720 a. Such awireless communication interface 6780 a may be implemented with awireless radio transceiver (e.g., a hardware radio, a wirelesstransceiver implemented with a combination of hardware and software, ora software defined radio (SDR) implementation of a wireless radiotransceiver capable of providing the functionality of a short, medium,and long range wireless communications interface. Memory 6775 amaintains, for example, an autonomous navigation program module that maybe executed by controller 6770 a to be operative as described herein tocontrol movement of the vehicle 6700 a, alignment of the vehicle withother vehicles when docking and transferring items from the vehicle toanother, controlling the transfer of items via actuator control signals,and interacting with other vehicles and nodes as part of a logisticsoperation.

Exemplary vehicle 6700 a may further have exemplary articulating arm6765 a operatively coupled to controller 6770 a and disposed, as anotherexample of an object manipulation system onboard vehicle 6700 a, toreach and move items outside of the vehicle 6700 a (or in combinationwith articulating arm 6760 a or other object manipulation systemstructure, such as a moving belt surface, sweeping arms, grabbing arms,tilting wheelbases, and the like).

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the secondexemplary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 b shown in FIG.67 in a similar configuration with similar exemplary components as shownfor vehicle 6700 a, but is currently not holding the payload container6755 or any deliverable items. And such a second exemplary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle 6700 b may interact with the firstexemplary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 a in a mannerto carry out a single multi-leg logistics operation. For example, in anexemplary embodiment, these two different node-enabled AVs 6700 a, 6700b (which may be implemented with different exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassemblies) are deployed for a single multi-leg logistics operationwhere one (the master or main or primary) node-enabled AV 6700 a travelsto a location near an object delivery point (or waypoint), and transfersthe object or item being transported to a shorter range or secondarynode-enabled AV 6700 b that can complete the delivery. A similar type ofexample may be used where the second node-enabled AV 6700 b picks up theobject and transfers it to the main node-enabled AV 6700 a, which canthen complete the pickup operation (e.g., ending with the autonomoustransfer or with further transit to a courier vehicle, such as exemplarycourier transport vehicle 6805 shown in FIG. 68A). In this embodiment,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the primary and secondarynode-enabled AV units 6700 a, 6700 b may be implemented with similar ordifferently configured exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies tailoredto carry the appropriate object(s)/item(s) and configured to implementtransfer of the payload from one to the other as part of the single,multi-leg logistics operation.

FIGS. 68A-68E are diagrams of an exemplary system using multipleexemplary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles 6700 a, 6700 b whennavigating between an exemplary courier transport vehicle 6805 and adesignated shipping location 6810 with an item being shipped as part ofa multi-leg autonomous logistics operation for the item being shipped inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG.68A, exemplary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 a may bereferred to a primary vehicle, and has been loaded with at least oneobject (e.g., items 6750 a, 6750 b within a payload container 6755 asshown specifically in FIG. 67). In an example where such an object orobject may be loaded, the mobile master node 6725 a, when executing theautonomous navigation program module from memory 6775 a, is operative toinitiate a loading operation of items 6750 a, 6750 b and payloadcontainer 6755 as the payload at a pickup location using the primaryobject manipulating system (e.g., articulating arm 6765 a and/orarticulating arm 6760 a) on the primary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle. In one embodiment, the pickup location may, forexample and as shown in FIG. 68A, be in the courier transport vehicle6850 where the logistics operation is delivery to delivery address 6810as the designated shipping location. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that in another embodiment, the pickup location may, forexample, be at the delivery address 6810 where the logistics operationis delivery to the courier transport vehicle 6850.

Once the object has been picked up by the primary exemplary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle 6700 a, exemplary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle 6700 a may approach the secondary exemplarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 b in order to handoff theobject and for the secondary exemplary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle 6700 b to complete the logistics operation. In more detail, anembodiment may have the mobile master node 6725 a in primary vehicle6700 a, when executing the first autonomous navigation program module inmemory 6775 a, being operative to detect a signal broadcast from themobile master node 6725 b of vehicle 6700 b via the primary wirelesscommunication interface 6780 a and then transmit an instruction over theprimary wireless communication interface 6780 a to the mobile masternode 6725 b in vehicle 6700 b to alter a power level of the signalbroadcast from mobile master node 6725 b. Mobile master node 6725 a isfurther operative to identify the signal broadcast from mobile masternode 6725 b with the altered power level, determine a direction ofmobile master node 6725 b relative to mobile master node 6725 a basedupon the detected signal from mobile master node 6725 b with the alteredpower level; and generate onboard control input for steering andpropulsion systems 6730 a, 6735 a to cause the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle 6700 a to navigate to mobile master node6725 b based upon the determined direction of mobile master node 6725 brelative to mobile master node 6725 a.

As shown in FIG. 68B, the primary exemplary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle 6700 b has moved towards secondary exemplarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 b so that they can align,dock, and begin transferring payload container 6755 having items 6750 a,6750 b. In more detail, an embodiment may have the mobile master node6725 a in primary vehicle 6700 a, when executing the first autonomousnavigation program module in memory 6775 a, being operative to generatethe appropriate onboard control input (based upon, for example, locationdata, sensor data, and the like) to cause the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle 6700 a to navigate to the mobile masternode 6725 b in the secondary vehicle 6700 b by being further operativeto generate such control input to cause the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle 6700 a to navigate to docking interface6745 b disposed on the secondary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle 6700 b based upon the determined direction of the mobile masternode 6725 b of the secondary vehicle 6700 b relative to mobile masternode 6725 a and engage the docking interface 6745 a disposed on theprimary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 a at the waypointlocation of the secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700b. Once the vehicles 6700 a, 6700 b are engaged via their respectivedocking interfaces 6745 a, 6745 b (which may be actuated latches), themobile master node 6725 a on the primary vehicle 6700 a, when executingthe first autonomous navigation program module in memory 6775 a, isoperative to cause the primary object manipulation system 6760 a totransfer the payload container 6755 (and the items being transported inthe container) once the docking interface 6745 a on the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 a is secured to thedocking interface 6745 b on the secondary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle 6700 b at the waypoint location.

As shown in FIG. 68B, the primary object manipulation system 6760 a(e.g., an articulating arm in the CSS 6720 of primary vehicle 6700 a)begins transfer of the container 6755 with items 6750 a, 6750 b). Othertypes of object manipulation systems on the primary vehicle may bedeployed, such actuated or articulating belts, arms, and the like asdescribed herein relative to assembly 1700) to initiate and carry outtransfer of such a container and items. Further exemplary objectmanipulation systems for use in transferring such a container and itemsfrom primary vehicle 6700 a to secondary vehicle 6700 b may includearticulating arm 6765 a. Those skilled in the art will furtherappreciate that mobile master node 6725 a may activate and actuatemultiple object manipulation systems onboard primary vehicle 6700 a totransfer the container and items to the secondary vehicle 6700 b.Likewise, those skilled in the art will further appreciate the mobilemaster node 6725 b may activate and actuate similar multiple objectmanipulation systems onboard primary vehicle 6700 b to receive and stowaway the container and items within the secondary vehicle 6700 b asshown in FIG. 68C.

As shown in FIG. 68D, the transfer of the payload container 6755 anditems 6750 a, 6750 b is complete with such a payload now on thesecondary vehicle 6700 b. Then, as shown in FIG. 68E, the vehicles 6700a, 6700 b undock, and the secondary vehicle 6700 b moves towards itsdestination (e.g., delivery address 6810). In more detail, an embodimentmay have mobile master node 6725 b in secondary vehicle 6700 b, whenexecuting the second autonomous navigation program module in memory 6775b, being further operative to detect a signal broadcast from anothernode associated with the designated shipping location for the payload(e.g. facility node 6815, which may also be implemented as a mobilewireless node-based user access device of the delivery recipient of thepayload delivery) and transmit an instruction over the secondarywireless communication interface 6780 b to node 6815 to alter a powerlevel of the signal broadcast from that node 6815. The mobile masternode 6725 b in the secondary vehicle 6700 b is further operative to thenidentify the signal broadcast from node 6815 with the altered powerlevel; determine a direction of node 6815 relative to mobile master node6725 b in secondary vehicle 6700 b based upon the detected signal fromnode 6815 with the altered power level; generate onboard control inputto cause the secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 bto navigate to node 6815 based upon the determined direction; and causethe secondary object manipulation system (e.g., articulating arm 6760 b,arm 6765 b, or other object manipulation devices that areactuated/activated by mobile master node 6725 b (such as moving beltsurfaces, sweeping arms, grabbing arms, and the like) to transfer thepayload container 6755 and items 6750 a, 6750 b being shipped off thesecondary mobile transport vehicle base 6705 b to at the designatedshipping location (e.g., whether the delivery address 6810 or thecourier transport vehicle 6805 if the primary vehicle 6700 a picked upthe payload from address 6810).

In further embodiments, such a system with the primary vehicle 6700 aand secondary vehicle 6700 b may involve updating a server, such as abacked server (e.g., dispatch server 6701) about the logistics operationas it happens. For example, in such a system embodiment, the mobilemaster node 6725 a on the primary vehicle 6700 a may, when executing theautonomous navigation program module from memory 6775 a, be furtheroperative to transmit an updated location of mobile master node 6725 ato a server (such as server 6701) over the primary wirelesscommunication interface 6780 a as mobile master node 6725 a approachesthe second mobile master node 6725 b. In this embodiment, the secondmobile master node 6725 b, when executing the autonomous navigationprogram module from memory 6775 b, may be further operative to transmitan updated location of the second mobile master node 6725 b to theserver 6701 over the secondary wireless communication interface 6780 bas the second mobile master node 6725 b approaches the mobile masternode 6725 a on the primary vehicle 6700 a. In more detail, the locationsinvolved in such updates may come from location circuitry (e.g., GPScircuitry, similar to location positioning circuitry 475) disposed onthe respective primary vehicle 6700 a or secondary vehicle 6700 b andcoupled to the respective master node controllers on such vehicles. Afurther example may be that the primary vehicle 6700 a and/or secondaryvehicle 6700 b further includes an inertial navigation unit as suchlocation circuitry, which relies less on receiving external signals forpositioning and may be used in combination with other locationcircuitry.

In light of the system described above in FIGS. 67 and 68A-68E, afurther embodiment may include an exemplary method for navigating to adesignated shipping location (e.g., pickup/delivery address 6810) aspart of a multi-leg logistics operation using different node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles. FIGS. 69A-69B are, collectively, a flowdiagram of an embodiment of such an exemplary method 6900 for navigatingto a designated shipping location as part of a multi-leg logisticsoperation using multiple nodes in a wireless node network, a server inthe network, and multiple node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles inthe network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 69A, method 6900 begins at step 6905 with a firstmobile master node of the nodes detecting a signal broadcast from asecond mobile master node of the nodes, where the first mobile masternode (e.g., mobile master node 6725 a) is associated with a first of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles (e.g., vehicle 6700 a) andthe second mobile master node (e.g., mobile master node 6725 b) isassociated with a second of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles (e.g., vehicle 6700 b).

At step 6910, method 6900 proceeds with the first mobile master nodeinstructing the second mobile master node to alter a power level of thesignal broadcast from the second mobile master node, and thenidentifying the signal broadcast from the second mobile master node withthe altered power level at step 6915.

At step 6920, method 6900 proceeds with the first mobile master nodedetermining a direction of the second mobile master node relative to thefirst mobile master node based upon the detected signal from the secondmobile master node with the altered power level.

At step 6925, method 6900 proceeds with the first mobile master nodenavigating to the second mobile master node associated with the secondvehicle (e.g., vehicle 6700 b) based upon the determined direction ofthe second mobile master node relative to the first mobile master node.In more detail, step 6925 may involve navigating, by the first mobilemaster node, to the second mobile master node as the power level of thesignal broadcast from the second mobile master node is incrementallydecreased over time as the first mobile master node approaches thesecond mobile master node. In a further example, the first mobile masternode may be associated with a control system of the first autonomoustransport vehicles (e.g., a control system that provides steering andpropulsion control signals to respective steering and propulsion systemson the first vehicle). As such, the step of navigating by the firstmobile master node may have the first mobile master node providing thedetermined direction of the second mobile master node relative to thefirst mobile master node to an input of the control system of the firstof the autonomous transport vehicles. Additionally, an example may havethe first mobile master node causing the first autonomous transportvehicles to stop moving when a current location of the first mobilemaster node is within a predetermined range of the second mobile masternode.

In a further embodiment, step 6925 may implement navigating by the firstmobile master node using context data. For example, implementing step6925 with the first mobile master node may involve, in such a furtherembodiment, accessing first context data that relates to an operatingenvironment of the second mobile master node; and the navigating to thesecond mobile master node with reference to the accessed first contextdata as the power level of the signal broadcast from the second mobilemaster node is incrementally decreased over time and as the first mobilemaster node approaches the second mobile master node. In even moredetail, such context data relates to the anticipated operatingenvironment for the second mobile master node. By relying on using thistype of context data about the operating environment that is known oranticipated to be faced by the second mobile master node (and thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle it operates on), the firstmobile master node may better navigate towards its destination.

At step 6930, method 6900 proceeds with transferring at least one item(which may include a payload container) as payload from the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to the second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle at a waypoint location of the secondnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle. For example, as shown inFIGS. 68B-68B, exemplary items 6750 a, 6750 b in payload container 6755are shown transferred from node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle6700 a to the second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 b ata waypoint location of the second node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle 6700 b.

In more detail, an embodiment of method 6900 may implement step 6930with the first master node (a) detecting the second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle by a proximity sensor (e.g., sensor 6740 a)on the first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle as the firstvehicle navigates towards and approaches the second vehicle; (b)causing, by the first mobile master node, a transfer alignmentconfiguration of the first vehicle and the second vehicle as the firstmobile master node controls movement of the first vehicle; and (c)initiating, by the first mobile master node, transfer of the item (orpayload container with one or more items) from the first vehicles to thesecond vehicle while the first and second vehicles are in the transferalignment configuration. In this example, the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle and the second node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle may have the first mobile master node aligning a first dockinginterface (e.g., docking interface 6745 a) disposed on the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle with a second dockinginterface (e.g., docking interface 6745 b) disposed on the secondnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle as the first mobile masternode controls movement of the first node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle. In even more detail, causing such a transfer alignmentconfiguration may also have the first mobile master node securing thefirst docking interface to the second docking interface (e.g., withactuated latches as such docking interfaces) to create the transferalignment orientation.

Additionally, the initiating step in this further embodiment of step6930 may, for example, be implemented by having the first mobile masternode deploy an object manipulation system on the first node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle (e.g., articulating arms 6765 a, 6760 a, orother actuated devices, such as movable belt surfaces, sweeping arms, orgrabbing arms deployed on the CSS or APM parts of vehicle 6700 a) toinitiate control of the item being transferred while on the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle. Then, the first mobile masternode may move the item from the first node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle to the second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle usingsuch an object manipulation system on the first node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle (e.g., via sending control signals to the objectmanipulation system, which contacts and moves the item/container asshown in FIG. 68B).

In still another embodiment of step 6930, the step of transferring maybe implemented with (a) detecting the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles by a proximity sensor on the secondnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle (e.g., via sensor 6740 b), asthe first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle navigates towardsand approaches the second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle; (b)having the second mobile master node causing a transfer alignmentconfiguration of the first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle andthe second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle as the secondmobile master node controls movement of the second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle relative to the first node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle; and then (c) initiating, by the secondmobile master node, transfer of the item to the second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle while the first and second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle are in the transfer alignmentconfiguration. In more detail, the step of causing the transferalignment configuration of the first and second node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle may have the second mobile master node aligning asecond docking interface (e.g., docking interface 6745 b) disposed onthe second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with afirst docking interface (e.g., docking interface 6745 a) disposed on thefirst node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle as the second mobilemaster node controls movement of the second node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle relative to the first node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle. This may also involve securing the second dockinginterface to the first docking interface (e.g., with one or moreactuated interlocking latches) to create the transfer alignmentorientation. Additionally, in this embodiment of step 6930, theinitiating step may be implemented with the second mobile master nodedeploying an object manipulation system on the second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle (e.g., articulating arms 6765 b, 6760 b, orother actuated devices, such as movable belt surfaces, sweeping arms, orgrabbing arms deployed on the CSS or APM parts of vehicle 6700 b) toinitiate control of the item (and/or payload container) while on thefirst node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle; and having the secondmobile master node move the at least one item from the first of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to the second of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles using the object manipulationsystem on the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles(e.g., via sending control signals to the object manipulation system,which contacts and moves the item/container as shown in FIG. 68C).

In still another embodiment of step 6930, such transferring may beimplemented in a more coordinated manner with both autonomous vehiclesusing proximity sensing and moving to transfer positions. In moredetail, such an embodiment of step 6930 may begin with the first mobilemaster node navigating to the waypoint location of the secondnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle; detecting the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by a proximity sensor on thesecond node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle (e.g., sensor 6740 b)as the first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle navigates towardsand approaches the second vehicle. Then, this further embodiment of step6930 continues by detecting the second node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle by a proximity sensor on the first node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle (e.g., sensor 6740 a), as the first node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle navigates towards and approaches the secondvehicle. Thereafter, in this further embodiment of step 6930 has thefirst mobile master node controlling a position of the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by moving the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle into a first transferposition; has the second mobile master node controlling a position ofthe second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by moving thesecond node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle into a second transferposition; refining the relative alignment of the first transfer positionand the second transfer position to cause the first and second vehiclesto be in a transfer alignment orientation; and moving the item from thefirst vehicle to the second vehicle using object manipulation systemsdeployed on respective ones of the first and second vehicles.

At step 6935, method 6900 proceeds with the second mobile master nodedetecting a signal broadcast from a node associated with the designatedshipping location for the payload (e.g., facility node 6815 at thepickup/delivery address 6810). At step 6940, method 6900 has the secondmobile master node instructing this other node to alter a power level ofthe signal broadcast from the another node. Step 6940 continues throughtransition A to step 6945 on FIG. 69B, where method 6900 proceeds withthe second mobile master node identifying the signal broadcast from theother node with the altered power level.

At step 6950, method 6900 proceeds with the second mobile master nodedetermining a direction of the other node relative to the second mobilemaster node based upon the detected signal from the other node with thealtered power level.

At step 6955, method 6900 has the second mobile master node navigatingto the other node at step 6955 based upon the determined direction ofthe other node relative to the second mobile master node. In oneexample, such a step of navigating by the second mobile master node mayinvolve accessing second context data that relates to an operatingenvironment of the other node; and navigating, by the second mobilemaster node, to the other node with reference to the accessed secondcontext data as the power level of the signal broadcast from the othernode is incrementally decreased over time and as the second mobilemaster node approaches the other node. In another example, step 6955 mayhave the second mobile master node navigating to the other node as thepower level of the signal broadcast from the other node is incrementallydecreased over time and as the second mobile master node approaches thatnode. Further still, an example of step 6955 may implement suchnavigating with the second mobile master node providing the determineddirection of the another node relative to the second mobile master nodeto an input of the control system of the second of the autonomoustransport vehicles. Still in another example as part of navigating instep 6955, the second mobile master node may cause the second of theautonomous transport vehicles to stop moving when a current location ofthe second mobile master node is within a predetermined range of theanother node.

In a further embodiment of method 6900, the method may involveoffloading the second vehicle at the delivery location. For example, anembodiment of method 6900 may further have the second mobile master nodeinitiating an offload operation of the item as the payload (and/or thepayload container that maintains one or more items) at the designatedshipping location (e.g., courier transport vehicle 6805 or deliveryaddress 6810 for the item) using an object manipulating system on thesecond node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle.

Likewise, a further embodiment of method 6900 may involve loading thefirst vehicle at a pickup location. For example, an embodiment of method6900 may further have the first mobile master node initiating a loadingoperation of the item (and/or payload container that maintains one ormore items) as the payload at a pickup location (e.g., courier transportvehicle 6805 or delivery address 6810 for the item) using an objectmanipulating system on the first node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle.

In still another further embodiment of method 6900, the method may havethe mobile master nodes on the respective vehicles updating a serverwith locations of the vehicles. For example, an embodiment of method6900 may further include the steps of transmitting, by the first mobilemaster node to the server (e.g., server 6701), an updated location ofthe first mobile master node as the first mobile master node approachesthe second mobile master node; and transmitting, by the second mobilemaster node to the server, an updated location of the second mobilemaster node as the second mobile master node approaches the anothernode. As noted above, the locations involved in such updates may comefrom location circuitry (e.g., GPS circuitry, similar to locationpositioning circuitry 475) disposed on the respective first and secondvehicle and coupled to the respective master node controllers on suchvehicles. A further example may be that one or both of the first andsecond vehicles may include an inertial navigation unit as such locationcircuitry, which relies less on receiving external signals forpositioning and may be used in combination with other locationcircuitry.

Method 6900 is described as using node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles, but in a more detailed embodiment, such vehicles may beimplemented with an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly as discussedabove relative to FIG. 67. For example, the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles in method 6900 may be a modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly having a modular mobility base propelling themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary powermodule providing power for the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to at leasttemporarily maintain the at least one item within the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module asthe first mobile master node that autonomously controls operation of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly. In like manner, an embodimentof method 6900 may also have the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles being a modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyhaving a modular mobility base propelling the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power module providing power forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular cargo storagesystem configured to at least receive and temporarily maintain the atleast one item within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, anda modular mobile autonomy control module as the second mobile masternode that autonomously controls operation of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly.

In still another embodiment of method 6900, one of the vehiclesinteracts with the other vehicle and takes over during the alignment,docking and transferring aspects of method 6900. For example, anembodiment of step 6930 in method 6900 may be implemented by (a)detecting the second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by aproximity sensor on the first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle(e.g., sensor 6740 a) as the first node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle navigates towards and approaches the second node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle; (b) causing, by the first mobile masternode, a transfer alignment configuration of the first and secondvehicles as the first mobile master node controls movement of the firstvehicle and remotely controls movement of the second vehicle throughinteraction with the second mobile master node; and (c) initiating, bythe first mobile master node, transfer of the item (and/or payloadcontainer) from the first vehicle to the second vehicle while the firstand second vehicles are in the transfer alignment configuration. In thisexample, step of causing the transfer alignment configuration of thefirst and second vehicles may have the first mobile master node aligninga first docking interface (e.g., docking interface 6745 a) disposed onthe first vehicle with a second docking interface (e.g., dockinginterface 6745 b) disposed on the second vehicle as the first mobilemaster node controls movement of the first vehicle and remotely controlsmovement of the second vehicle through wireless interaction with thesecond mobile master node. This may also involve securing the firstdocking interface to the second docking interface to create the transferalignment orientation (e.g., via actuating one or more latches as one ormore of these docking interfaces). Transferring, as initiated in thisfurther embodiment, may have the first mobile master node deploying anobject manipulation system on the first vehicle to initiate control ofthe item (and/or payload container) while on the first node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle, and having the first mobile master nodemove the at least one item from the first node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle to the second node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle using the object manipulation system on the first node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle.

A similar example may be implemented for step 6930 with the secondmobile master node controlling movement of the second vehicle andremotely controlling movement of the first vehicle as part of aligningwith the respective docking interfaces and transferring as noted above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a method embodimentas disclosed and explained above may be implemented with multiplenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles (e.g., multiple exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assemblies) or a system with such multiple AVs andimplemented with the above-described suite of sensors, and differentprocessor modules/controller modules, and the different software modulesrunning on the different processor/controller modules as describedrelative to node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles using TRON typenodes (e.g., exemplary mobile master nodes) or as described aboverelative to an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. Such softwaremodules may be stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium in eachof the processor/controller modules. Thus, when executing such softwaremodules, the collective processor/controller modules of the enhancedsystem or distinct AVs may be operative to perform the operations orsteps from the exemplary method 6900 disclosed above, includingvariations of that method.

In another exemplary embodiment, one of the node-enabled AVs may beconfigured and able to selectively get another type of node-enabled AVto help with the multi-leg logistics operation. In this manner, theembodiment highlights selective use of multiple node-enabled AV for amulti-leg logistics operation, and may enhance the operation due to theselective inclusion of an appropriately configured second node-enabledAV. In a general example, a main node-enabled AV may dynamically selectone of multiple types of shorter range second node-enabled AVs to usefor a given logistics operation (pickup or delivery) based on shippinginformation and/or context data (e.g., weight of the object or objects,need for temperature control, requirement for specialized mechanicalmanipulation, the desire to interact with a home automation system atthe delivery/pickup location, regulatory information on the object andits use, compliance information on the object and its use). So this mayhave multiple short range second node-enabled AVs at the disposal of themain node-enabled AV—e.g., locally traveling with the main node-enabledAV or dispatched by the main AV from a courier vehicle.

FIG. 70 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary method 7000for navigating to a designated shipping location as part of a multi-leglogistics operation using multiple nodes in a wireless node network, aserver in the network, a first node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclein the network, and a selected one of a group of other node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring now to FIG. 70, method 7000 begins at step 7005with a first mobile master node of the nodes receiving logisticsinformation related to an item being shipped on a primary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles. Such a first mobile masternode is associated with the primary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles (e.g., mobile master node 6725 a on primary vehicle6700 a) and where the primary vehicle is responsible for a first leg ofthe multi-leg logistics operation. For example, such dispatchinglogistics information received in step 7005 may be at least shippinginformation on where the item is being shipped and context informationabout the item being shipped. Such context information may, for example,include the weight and size information on the item being shipped,environmental condition requirement information on the item beingshipped, manipulation requirement information on the item being shipped(e.g., fragile nature of the item, where the item may be engaged foractuated object manipulation, and the like), delivery address automationinformation related to the item being shipped, and/orregulatory/compliance information related to the pickup, transport,and/or delivery of the item.

At step 7010, method 7000 has the first mobile master node accessing thelogistics information from a memory on the first mobile master node(e.g., memory 6775 a) where the logistics information at least generallyindicates characteristic parameters about the item being shipped.

At step 7015, method 7000 has the first mobile master node selecting asecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to bedeployed for a second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation basedupon the logistics information about the item being shipped. Forexample, some of the potential other node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles may not be equipped to transport the particular item involvedwith the logistics operation due to weight, size, or othercharacteristic parameters on the item being shipped. Additionally, someof the potential other node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles maynot be allowed to participate in the second leg of the logisticsoperation for regulatory or contractual reasons (e.g., a particularcustomer has not leased the use of certain types of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles).

At step 7020, method 7000 continues with the first mobile master nodedetecting a signal broadcast from a second mobile master node of thenodes, where the second mobile master node is associated with theselected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles.

At step 7025, method 7000 continues with the first mobile master nodenavigating to the selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle in a direction determined by the first mobile master node to betowards the second mobile master node relative to the first mobilemaster node based upon the detected signal broadcast from the secondmobile master node.

At step 7030, method 7000 continues with autonomously transferring theitem from the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to theselected secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle at awaypoint location of the selected secondary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle. This transferring step 7030 may involve, in someembodiments, transferring a payload container (and one or more items init) as payload the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle tothe selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle at thewaypoint location.

At step 7035, method 7000 has the second mobile master node detecting asignal broadcast from another of the nodes, such as a node associatedwith the designated shipping location (e.g., facility node 6810). Then,at step 7040, method 7000 has the second mobile master node navigatingto the designated shipping location in a direction determined by thesecond mobile master node to be towards the other node relative to thesecond mobile master node based upon the detected signal broadcast fromthe other node.

A further embodiment of method 7000 may involve offloading theitem/payload container by the selected secondary vehicle at thedesignated shipping location. For example, such a further embodiment ofmethod 7000 may have the second mobile master node initiating an offloadoperation of the item being shipped at the designated shipping location(e.g., the delivery address for the item) using an object manipulatingsystem on the selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles that is operative to move the item being shipped offof the selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles.

In like manner, a further embodiment of method 7000 may involve loadingthe item into the primary vehicle. For example, such a furtherembodiment of method 7000 may include the step of receiving, by theprimary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles, the itembeing shipped (which may be received, transported, and offloaded asmaintained in a removable payload container, such as container 6755shown in FIG. 67). This further step of receiving the item may, in someembodiments, have the first mobile master node initiating a loadoperation of the item being shipped using an object manipulating systemon the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle that isoperative to place the item being shipped onto and/or within the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle.

In still a further embodiment of method 7000, step 7025 may beimplemented in more detail with the first mobile master node (a)instructing the second mobile master node to alter a power level of thesignal broadcast from the second mobile master node; (b) identifying thesignal broadcast from the second mobile master node with the alteredpower level; (c) determining the direction towards the second mobilemaster node relative to the first mobile master node based upon thedetected signal from the second mobile master node with the alteredpower level; and (d) navigating to the selected secondary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle in the determined direction towards thesecond mobile master node relative to the first mobile master node.

In like manner, step 7040 may be implemented in more detail with thesecond mobile master node navigating to the designated shipping locationby having the second mobile master node (a) instructing the other nodeto alter a power level of the signal broadcast from the other node; (b)identifying the signal broadcast from the other node with the alteredpower level; (c) determining the direction towards the other noderelative to the second mobile master node based upon the detected signalfrom the other node with the altered power level; and (d) navigating tothe designated shipping location in the determined direction towards theother node relative to the second mobile master node.

A more detailed embodiment of method 7000 may implement autonomoustransferring in step 7030 by (a) detecting the selected secondarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by a proximity sensor on theprimary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle, as the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle navigates towards andapproaches the selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle; (b) causing, by the first mobile master node, a transferalignment configuration of the primary and selected secondary vehiclesas the first mobile master node controls movement of the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles; and (c) initiating, by thefirst mobile master node, transfer of the item being shipped from theprimary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to the selectedsecondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle while the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle and the selected secondarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle are in the transfer alignmentconfiguration. In this example, the step of causing the transferalignment configuration of the primary and selected secondary vehiclesmay have the first mobile master node aligning a first docking interfacedisposed on the primary vehicle with a second docking interface disposedon the selected secondary vehicle as the first mobile master nodecontrols movement of the primary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle. In this same example, the initiating step may be implementedwith the first mobile master node deploying an object manipulationsystem on the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles toinitiate control of the item being shipped while on the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle; and moving the item beingshipped from the primary vehicle to the selected secondary vehicle usingthe object manipulation system on the primary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle.

In even more detail, the step 7030 of transferring may be implemented by(a) detecting the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by aproximity sensor on the selected secondary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle as the primary vehicle navigates towards andapproaches the selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle; (b) causing, by the second mobile master node, a transferalignment configuration of the primary vehicle and the selectedsecondary vehicle as the second mobile master node controls movement ofthe selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclerelative to the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle; and(c) initiating, by the second mobile master node, transfer of the itembeing shipped from the primary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles to the selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle while the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle andthe selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle are inthe transfer alignment configuration. Here, the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the primary vehicle and the selectedsecondary vehicle may have the first mobile master node aligning a firstdocking interface disposed on the primary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle with a second docking interface disposed on theselected secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle as thefirst mobile master node controls movement of the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle. Additionally, the initiating step in thisexample may be implemented with the second mobile master node deployingan object manipulation system on the selected secondary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle to initiate control of the item beingshipped while on the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;and moving the item being shipped from the primary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to the selected secondary oneof the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles using the objectmanipulation system on the selected secondary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles.

In still more detail, an embodiment of step 7030 of method 7000 mayimplement the step of transferring the item (and/or the payloadcontainer having the item) by (a) navigating, by the first mobile masternode, the primary vehicle to the waypoint location of the selectedsecondary vehicle; (b) detecting the selected secondary vehicle by aproximity sensor on the primary vehicle as the primary vehicle navigatestowards and approaches the selected secondary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle; (c) detecting the primary vehicle by a proximitysensor on the selected secondary vehicle as the primary vehiclenavigates towards and approaches the selected secondary vehicle; (d)controlling, by the first mobile master node, a position of the primaryvehicle by moving the primary vehicle into a first transfer position;(e) controlling, by the second mobile master node, a position of theselected secondary vehicle by moving the selected secondary vehicle intoa second transfer position; (f) refining the relative alignment of thefirst transfer position and the second transfer position to cause theprimary and the selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle to be in a transfer alignment orientation; and (g) moving theitem being shipped from the primary vehicle to the selected secondaryvehicle using a first object manipulation system on the primary vehicleand a second object manipulation system on the selected secondarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle. In this detailed example, thestep of refining the relative alignment of the first transfer positionand the second transfer position to cause the primary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and the selected secondaryone of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to be in thetransfer alignment orientation may be accomplished, for example, bycausing the first mobile master node to align a first docking interfacedisposed on the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to asecond docking interface disposed on the selected secondary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle. In another example, this may beaccomplished by causing the second mobile master node to align a seconddocking interface disposed on the selected secondary vehicle to a firstdocking interface disposed on the primary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle.

Furthermore, in this detailed example, the step of controlling theposition of the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle bymoving the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle into thefirst transfer position may be accomplished with the first mobile masternode controlling the position of the primary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle by moving a first docking interface disposed on theprimary vehicle proximate a second docking interface disposed on theselected secondary vehicle as the first transfer position. And the stepof controlling the position of the selected secondary vehicle by movingthe selected secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle intothe second transfer position may be accomplished with the second mobilemaster node controlling the position of the selected secondarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle by moving the second dockinginterface proximate the first docking interface as the second transferposition. As such, refining the relative alignment of the first transferposition and the second transfer position to cause the primary vehicleand the selected secondary vehicle to be in the transfer alignmentorientation may be accomplished by securing a first docking interfacedisposed on the primary vehicle to a second docking interface disposedon the selected secondary vehicle to create the transfer alignmentorientation.

Another embodiment of method 7000 may have step 7025 implemented withthe first mobile master node navigating to the second mobile master nodeas the power level of the signal broadcast from the second mobile masternode is incrementally decreased over time and as the first mobile masternode approaches the second mobile master node; and have step 7040implemented with the second mobile master node navigating to the othernode as the power level of the signal broadcast from the other node isincrementally decreased over time and as the second mobile master nodeapproaches the other node.

Further details with an embodiment of method 7000 may more specificallyhave the mobile master nodes of the respective node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles associated with, communicating with, or implementinga control system that controls the propulsion and steering related tothe respective vehicle. As such, the steps involving navigating byrespective mobile master nodes may have those mobile master nodesproviding determined node directional information to the control system(or using that information itself) as an input to the control system aspart of navigating. Furthermore, such an embodiment of method 7000 mayhave first mobile master node causing the primary autonomous transportvehicles to stop moving when a current location of the first mobilemaster node is within a predetermined range of the second mobile masternode; and in like manner, have the second mobile master node causing theselected secondary one of the autonomous transport vehicles to stopmoving when a current location of the second mobile master node iswithin a predetermined range of the another node.

Similar to that of method 6900, an embodiment of method 7000 mayimplement the respective node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclesusing different exemplary embodiments of an MALVT bot apparatus assembly(e.g., assembly 1700). For example, an embodiment of method 7000 mayhave the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclesbeing a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly having a modularmobility base propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly,a modular auxiliary power module providing power for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage systemconfigured to at least temporarily maintain the at least one item withinthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobileautonomy control module as the first mobile master node thatautonomously controls operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly. Likewise, an embodiment of method 7000 may have the selectedsecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles being amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly having a modular mobility basepropelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modularauxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to atleast receive and temporarily maintain the at least one item within themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomycontrol module as the second mobile master node that autonomouslycontrols operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

In such an embodiment of method 7000 using embodiments of exemplaryMALVT bot apparatus assembly as the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles, the step of selecting the secondary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles to be deployed for the second leg of themulti-leg logistics operation may be based upon compatibility of atleast the modular cargo storage system and the item being shippedaccording to the logistics information; based upon compatibility of atleast the modular mobility base and the logistics information; basedupon compatibility of at least the modular auxiliary power module andthe logistics information; based upon compatibility of at least themodular mobile autonomy control module and the logistics information;and/or based upon compatibility of the logistics information as comparedwith the combination of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliarypower module, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobileautonomy control module as configured in the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a method embodimentas disclosed and explained above involving selective involvement of thesecond node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle may be implemented withmultiple node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles (e.g., multipleexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies) or a system with such multipleAVs and implemented with the above-described suite of sensors, anddifferent processor modules/controller modules, and the differentsoftware modules running on the different processor/controller modulesas described relative to node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles asgenerally described above with mobile master nodes as explained hereinor as described above relative to an exemplary MALVT bot apparatusassembly. Such software modules may be stored on non-transitorycomputer-readable medium in each of the processor/controller modules.Thus, when executing such software modules, the collectiveprocessor/controller modules of the enhanced system or distinct AVs maybe operative to perform the operations or steps from the exemplarymethod 7000 disclosed above, including variations of that method.

In still further embodiments, one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles may cooperate and coordinate with the othernode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle as part of a multi-leglogistics operation and have one of the vehicles being in a “master”role where the control of the second autonomous transport vehicle is, atleast in part, transferred to the master during portions of thelogistics operation. FIG. 71 is a flow diagram of an embodiment ofanother exemplary method 7100 for navigating to a designated shippinglocation as part of a multi-leg logistics operation using multiple nodesin a wireless node network, a server in the network, and multiplenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles in the network where one ofthe node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles operates as master tocontrol at least docking and transferring operations as part of themulti-leg logistics operation in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring now to FIG. 71, exemplary method 7100 begins atstep 7150 has a first mobile master node of the nodes in the network isdetecting a signal broadcast from a second mobile master node of thenodes in the network. Here, the first mobile master node is associatedwith and disposed on a first of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles (e.g., node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 a) andthe second mobile master node is associated with and disposed on asecond of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles (e.g.,node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle 6700 b).

At step 7110, method 7100 proceeds with the first mobile master nodeinstructing the second mobile master node to alter a power level of thesignal broadcast from the second mobile master node. At step 7115,method 7100 has the first mobile master node identifying the signalbroadcast from the second mobile master node with the altered powerlevel. At step 7120, method 7100 has the first mobile master nodedetermining a direction of the second mobile master node relative to thefirst mobile master node based upon the detected signal from the secondmobile master node with the altered power level. Then, at step 7125,method 7100 has the first mobile master node navigating to the secondmobile master node associated with the second node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle based upon the determined direction of the secondmobile master node relative to the first mobile master node.

At step 7130, method 7100 proceeds with the first mobile master nodecausing a first docking interface on the first node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle (e.g., docking interface 6745 a) to securely engage asecond docking interface on the second node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle (e.g., docking interface 6745 b) at a waypoint location of thesecond of the node-enable autonomous transport vehicles as the firstmobile master node controls movement of the first vehicle and remotelycontrols movement of the second node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle through interaction with the second mobile master node.

At step 7135, method 7100 proceeds with the first mobile master nodeinitiating transfer of the item (e.g., the item itself, such as item6570 a, or a payload container 6744 that maintains the item) from thefirst node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to the secondnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle while the first node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle are securely engaged (e.g., via one or more actuatedclamps, interlocking latches, and the like).

At step 7140, method 7100 proceeds has the first mobile master nodecausing the first docking interface to disengage from the second dockinginterface after the at least one item is no longer present on the firstof the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles based upon monitoringby one or more payload monitoring sensors on the first of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles. The engagement anddisengagement of such docking interfaces may be accomplished, forexample, through master node controlled actuators disposed on therespective first and second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle.In more detail, an embodiment of method 7100 may have the first dockinginterface and the second docking interface implemented as at least onemated set of latches that has at least one from the mated set of latchesbeing disposed on the first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicleand a matching other from the mated set of latches being disposed on thesecond node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle. These mated set oflatches may be an actuated set of latches activated by the first mobilemaster node to securely engage the first docking interface to the seconddocking interface. In another example, the matching other from the matedset of latches on the second node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclemay be an actuated set of latches activated by the second mobile masternode to securely engage the first docking interface to the seconddocking interface.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a method embodimentas disclosed and explained above more specifically involving docking ofthe second node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle and the firstnode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle may be implemented withmultiple node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles (e.g., multipleexemplary MALVT bot apparatus assemblies) or a system with such multipleAVs and implemented with the above-described suite of sensors, anddifferent processor modules/controller modules, and the differentsoftware modules running on the different processor/controller modulesas described relative to node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles asgenerally described using mobile master nodes or as described aboverelative to an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly. Such softwaremodules may be stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium in eachof the processor/controller modules. Thus, when executing such softwaremodules, the collective processor/controller modules of the enhancedsystem or distinct AVs may be operative to perform the operations orsteps from the exemplary method 7100 disclosed above, includingvariations of that method.

FURTHER PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

What follows below is a listing of exemplary categorized sets ofparticular embodiments focusing on one or more aspects of the differentembodiments described above. Each of the different sets of particularembodiments respectively effect improvements to the technology ofmodular autonomous logistics vehicle transports and assemblies usingmodular components of the same. As such, within each further embodimentheading are numbered aspects describing a specific technological andpractical application as explicitly explained and supported by thedisclosure above. Each numbered aspect appearing below a particularheading may make reference to other numbered aspects that appear belowthat particular heading in a dependent relationship.

Further Embodiment A—Modular Mobility Base for a Modular AutonomousLogistics Vehicle Transport Apparatus

1. A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus thattransports an item being shipped, the modular mobility base comprising:

a mobile base platform;

a modular component alignment interface disposed on the mobile baseplatform, the modular alignment interface providing at least one channelinto which another modular component of the modular autonomous botapparatus can be placed and secured on the mobile base platform;

a mobility controller disposed as part of the mobile base platform, themobility controller being operative to generate a propulsion controlsignal for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and a steeringcontrol signal for controlling navigation of the modular mobility base;

a propulsion system connected to the mobile base platform, thepropulsion system being responsive to the propulsion control signal fromthe mobility controller and operative to cause changes to the speed ofthe modular mobility base;

a steering system connected to the mobile base platform and coupled tothe propulsion system, the steering system being responsive to thesteering control signal from the mobility controller and operative tocause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base; and

-   -   a plurality of sensors coupled to the mobility controller,        wherein each of the sensors being disposed on the mobile base        platform, wherein the sensors being operative to autonomously        generate and provide feedback sensor data to the mobility        controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

2. The modular mobility base of embodiment 1, wherein the mobile baseplatform comprises:

a support base having the modular alignment interface and the sensors,the support base comprising at least (a) a top support surface on whichthe modular alignment interface is disposed and (b) a plurality ofperipheral edges on which the sensors are disposed; and

a set of wheels coupled to the support base, wherein at least a firstportion of the set of wheels being further coupled to the propulsionsystem and wherein at least a second portion of the set of wheels beingfurther coupled to the steering system.

3. The modular mobility base of embodiment 2, wherein the set of wheelscomprises a set of tracks.

4. The modular mobility base of embodiment 2, wherein the mobile baseplatform further comprises a selectively adjustable suspension systemthat couples the set of wheels to the support base, the selectivelyadjustable suspension system activating to change an orientedconfiguration of the support base relative to the set of wheels from afirst orientation state to a second orientation state in response to asupport base orientation control signal from the mobility controller.

5. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4, wherein the orientedconfiguration of the support base comprises a lifted attitudeorientation.

6. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4, wherein the orientedconfiguration of the support base comprises a tilted attitudeorientation.

7. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4, wherein the orientedconfiguration of the support base comprises a combination lift and tiltattitude orientation.

8. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4, wherein the selectivelyadjustable suspension system comprises a plurality of actuatorsindividually responsive to one of a plurality of actuator controlsignals as part of the support base orientation control signal from themobility controller.

9. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4, wherein the mobilitycontroller generates the support base orientation control signal tocause the selectively adjustable suspension system to activate andchange the oriented configuration of the support base relative to theset of wheels from the first orientation state to the second orientationstate based upon and in response to feedback sensor data from at leastone of the sensors.

10. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4, wherein the mobilitycontroller generates the support base orientation control signal tocause the selectively adjustable suspension system to activate andchange the oriented configuration of the support base relative to theset of wheels from the first orientation state to the second orientationstate based upon and in response to a control command from the anothermodular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

11. The modular mobility base of embodiment 4 further comprising awireless transceiver operatively coupled to the mobility controller, thewireless transceiver providing a bi-directional wireless data pathbetween the mobility controller and an external wireless node disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus; and

-   -   wherein the mobility controller generates the support base        orientation control signal to cause the selectively adjustable        suspension system to activate and change the oriented        configuration of the support base relative to the set of wheels        from the first orientation state to the second orientation state        based upon and in response to a wireless control command from        the external wireless node disposed external to the modular        autonomous bot apparatus.

12. The modular mobility base of embodiment 2, wherein the modularcomponent alignment interface comprises:

-   -   a registration interface disposed on the top support surface of        the mobile base platform as the at least one channel into which        the another modular component of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus can be placed and secured on the mobile base platform;        and    -   a coupling receiver disposed on the top support surface of the        mobile base platform, the coupling receiver providing a secure        receiving latch element for a mated coupling latch element on        the another modular component of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus, wherein the secure receiving latch element being        operative to temporarily attach to the mated coupling latch        element on the another modular component of the modular        autonomous bot apparatus.

13. The modular mobility base of embodiment 12, wherein the registrationinterface comprises a plurality of raised alignment channels.

14. The modular mobility base of embodiment 12, wherein the registrationinterface comprises a plurality of recessed alignment channels.

15. The modular mobility base of embodiment 12, wherein the registrationinterface comprises a plurality of alignment channels where each of thealignment channels are disposed proximate one of the peripheral edges ofthe support base.

16. The module mobility base of embodiment 12, wherein the securereceiving latch element comprises an interlocking latch element for amated interlocking coupling latch element on the another modularcomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

17. The modular mobility base of embodiment 12, wherein the modularcomponent alignment interface further comprising a modular componentelectronics interface disposed on the top support surface of the mobilebase platform, the modular component electronics interface beingoperatively coupled to the mobility controller as a power and data matedinterface to at least the another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus.

18. The modular mobility base of embodiment 17 further comprising anonboard power source that supplies electrical power to at least themobility controller, the propulsion system, the steering system, and thesensors; and

-   -   wherein the power and data mated interface is operatively        connected to the onboard power source, the power and data mated        interface further including a power output connection that        provides electrical power to the another modular component of        the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

19. The modular mobility base of embodiment 18 further comprising anonboard power controller that selectively applies the electrical powerto at least the mobility controller, the propulsion system, the steeringsystem, and the sensors from the one of the onboard power source, froman external power source, and both the onboard power source and theexternal power source; and

-   -   wherein the power and data mated interface further including a        power input connection that receives externally supplied        electrical power from the external power source.

20. The modular mobility base of embodiment 12, wherein the modularcomponent electronics interface comprising a modular mated bus interfaceconnection for relaying feedback sensor data from the sensors coupled tothe mobility controller and for receiving control commands thatresponsively causes the mobility controller to generate the propulsioncontrol signal and the steering control signal.

21. The modular mobility base of embodiment 2, wherein the propulsionsystem comprises at least one motor coupled to at least one in the setof wheels, the motor being responsive to the propulsion control signalfrom the mobility controller to alter rotation of the at least one inthe set of wheels.

22. The modular mobility base of embodiment 2, wherein the propulsionsystem comprises a set of motors coupled to respective ones in the setof wheels, the set of motors being responsive to the propulsion controlsignal from the mobility controller to alter rotation of each of wheelsin the set of wheels.

23. The modular mobility base of embodiment 2, wherein the propulsionsystem comprises a set of motors integrated with respective wheels inthe set of wheels, the set of motors integrated with wheels beingresponsive to the propulsion control signal from the mobility controllerto alter rotation of each of wheels in the set of wheels.

24. The modular mobility base of embodiment 1, wherein different ones ofthe sensors are operative to detect a tilt characteristic of the mobilebase platform, to detect an environmental characteristic next to themobile base platform, and to detect a proximity characteristic aboutwhat is next to the mobile base platform.

25. The modular mobility base of embodiment 1, wherein at least one ofthe sensors being a proximity sensor operative to autonomously detect anobject in a movement path of the modular mobility base and provideproximity sensor data to the mobility controller on the detected objectas the feedback sensor data.

26. The modular mobility base of embodiment 25, wherein mobilitycontroller is operative to receive the feedback sensor data from atleast the proximity sensor and responsively generate a change to atleast one of the propulsion control signal and the steering controlsignal.

27. The modular mobility base of embodiment 1 further comprising atleast one light disposed on the mobile base platform, wherein the atleast one light being focused external to the mobile base platform.

28. The modular mobility base of embodiment 27, wherein the at least onelight comprises a multi-spectral light providing multi-spectralvisibility to facilitate sensor detection by at least one of thesensors.

29. The modular mobility base of embodiment 1 further comprising awireless transceiver operatively coupled to the mobility controller, thewireless transceiver providing a bi-directional wireless data pathbetween the mobility controller and at least the another modularcomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

30. The modular mobility base of embodiment 1 further comprising awireless transceiver operatively coupled to the mobility controller, thewireless transceiver providing a bi-directional wireless data pathbetween the mobility controller and an external wireless node disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

31. The modular mobility base of embodiment 17 further comprising awireless transceiver operatively coupled to the mobility controller, thewireless transceiver providing a bi-directional wireless data path forthe mobility controller and at least the another modular component ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus.

32. The modular mobility base of embodiment 29, wherein the wirelesstransceiver providing the bi-directional wireless data path between themobility controller and the another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus to enable remote wireless control of themodular mobility base by the another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus.

33. The modular mobility base of embodiment 30, wherein the wirelesstransceiver providing the bi-directional wireless data path between themobility controller and the external wireless node disposed external tothe modular autonomous bot apparatus to enable remote wireless controlof the modular mobility base by the external wireless node.

34. A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus thattransports an item being shipped, the modular mobility base comprising:

-   -   a selectively adjustable mobile base platform comprising        -   a support base having a top support surface,        -   a plurality of peripheral edges on the support base,        -   a wheelbase frame,        -   a set of motorized wheels coupled to the wheelbase frame,            the motorized set of wheels operating as a propulsion system            for the modular mobility base,        -   a selectively adjustable suspension system coupling the            wheelbase frame to the support base, the selectively            adjustable suspension system activating to change an            oriented configuration of the support base relative to the            wheelbase frame from a first orientation state to a second            orientation state in response to a support base orientation            control signal from the mobility controller;        -   a modular component alignment interface disposed on the            selectively adjustable mobile base platform, the modular            alignment interface comprising            -   at least one alignment channel into which another                modular component of the modular autonomous bot                apparatus can be placed and secured on the selectively                adjustable mobile base platform;            -   a coupling receiver disposed on the top support surface                of the selectively adjustable mobile base platform, the                coupling receiver providing a secure interlocking                receiving latch element for a mated interlocking                coupling latch element on the another modular component                of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, wherein the                secure interlocking receiving latch element being                operative to temporarily attach to the mated                interlocking coupling latch element on the another                modular component of the modular autonomous bot                apparatus;        -   a mobility controller disposed as part of the selectively            adjustable mobile base platform, the mobility controller            being operative to generate a propulsion control signal for            controlling speed of the modular mobility base and a            steering control signal for controlling navigation of the            modular mobility base;        -   a plurality of sensors coupled to the mobility controller,            wherein each of the sensors being disposed on the            selectively adjustable mobile base platform, wherein the            sensors being operative to autonomously generate and provide            feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a            condition of the modular mobility base; and        -   a steering system connected to the selectively adjustable            mobile base platform and coupled to the propulsion system,            the steering system being responsive to the steering control            signal from the mobility controller and operative to cause            changes to directional movement of the modular mobility            base; and        -   wherein the set of motorized wheels is responsive to the            propulsion control signal from the mobility controller and            operative to cause changes to the speed of the modular            mobility base.

Further Embodiment B—Modular Multiple Mobility Base Assembly Apparatusfor Transporting an Item Being Shipped

1. A modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus for transportingan item being shipped, the modular mobility base comprising:

-   -   a base adapter plate having a top side and a bottom side,        wherein the top side provides a transport area for supporting        the item being shipped;    -   a first modular mobility base coupled to the bottom side of the        base adapter plate, the first modular mobility base operating as        a master autonomous mobile vehicle, the first modular mobility        base comprising        -   a first mobile base platform;        -   a first mobility controller disposed as part of the first            mobile base platform, the first mobility controller being            operative to generate a master propulsion control signal for            controlling speed of the first modular mobility base and a            master steering control signal for controlling navigation of            the first modular mobility base;        -   a first propulsion system connected to the first mobile base            platform, the first propulsion system being responsive to            the master propulsion control signal from the first mobility            controller and operative to cause changes to the speed of            the first modular mobility base;        -   a first steering system connected to the mobile base            platform and coupled to the first propulsion system, the            first steering system being responsive to the master            steering control signal from the first mobility controller            and operative to cause changes to directional movement of            the first modular mobility base;        -   a first wireless transceiver operatively coupled to the            first mobility controller, the first wireless transceiver            providing a first bi-directional wireless data and command            interface for the first mobility controller;        -   a plurality of first sensors coupled to the first mobility            controller, wherein each of the first sensors being disposed            on the first mobile base platform, wherein the first sensors            being operative to autonomously generate and provide first            feedback sensor data to the first mobility controller about            a condition of the first modular mobility base; and    -   a second modular mobility base coupled to the bottom side of the        base adapter plate, the second modular mobility base wirelessly        paired to the first modular mobility base and operating as a        slave autonomous mobile vehicle under control of the first        modular mobility base, the second modular mobility base        comprising        -   a second mobile base platform;        -   a second mobility controller disposed as part of the second            mobile base platform, the second mobility controller being            operative to generate a responsive propulsion control signal            for controlling speed of the second modular mobility base            and generate a responsive steering control signal for            controlling navigation of the second modular mobility base,            wherein the responsive propulsion control signal and the            responsive steering control signal are generated by the            second mobility controller based upon master control input            received from the first modular mobility base;        -   a second propulsion system connected to the second mobile            base platform, the second propulsion system being responsive            to the responsive propulsion control signal from the second            mobility controller and operative to cause changes to the            speed of the second modular mobility base;        -   a second steering system connected to the second mobile base            platform and coupled to the second propulsion system, the            second steering system being responsive to the responsive            steering control signal from the second mobility controller            and operative to cause changes to directional movement of            the second modular mobility base;        -   a second wireless transceiver operatively coupled to the            second mobility controller, the second wireless transceiver            providing a second bi-directional wireless data and command            interface for the second mobility controller, wherein the            second mobility controller is operative to communicate with            at least the first mobility controller and receive the            master control input over a secure paired wireless            connection between the first bi-directional wireless data            and command interface for the first mobility controller and            the second bi-directional wireless data and command            interface for the second mobility controller; and        -   a plurality of second sensors coupled to the second mobility            controller, wherein each of the second sensors being            disposed on the second mobile base platform, wherein the            second sensors being operative to autonomously generate and            provide second feedback sensor data to the second mobility            controller about a condition of the second modular mobility            base.

2. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment1, wherein the first mobile base platform on the first modular mobilitybase further having a first support plate alignment channel disposed ona top of the first mobile base platform;

-   -   wherein the second mobile base platform on the second modular        mobility base further having a second support plate alignment        channel disposed on a top of the second mobile base platform;        and    -   wherein the base adapter plate further comprises a first support        plate alignment seat and a second support plate alignment seat        disposed on the bottom side of the base adapter plate, wherein        the first support plate alignment seat providing a mated        interface to the first support plate alignment channel where the        base adapter plate is coupled to the first modular mobility        base, and wherein the second support plate alignment seat        providing a mated interface to the second support plate        alignment channel where the base adapter plate is coupled to the        second modular mobility base.

3. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment2, wherein the first support plate alignment channel comprises a firstraised channel protruding from the first mobile base platform; and

-   -   wherein the second support plate alignment channel comprises a        second raised channel protruding from the second mobile base        platform.

4. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment2, wherein the first support plate alignment seat comprises a firstrecessed channel on the bottom side of the base adapter plate; and

-   -   wherein the second support plate alignment seat comprises a        second recessed channel on the bottom side of the base adapter        plate.

5. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment1, wherein the first modular mobility base is secured to the bottom sideof the base adapter plate using a first detachable coupling that allowsthe first modular mobility base to be latched and locked to the bottomside of the base adapter plate; and

-   -   wherein the second modular mobility base is secured to the        bottom side of the base adapter plate using a second detachable        coupling that allows the second modular mobility base to be        latched and locked to the bottom side of the base adapter plate.

6. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment1, wherein the first detachable coupling on the first modular mobilitybase comprises a first interlocking latch that detachably mates with thebottom side of the base adapter plate; and

-   -   wherein the second detachable coupling on the second modular        mobility base comprises a second interlocking latch that        detachably mates with the bottom side of the base adapter plate

7. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment1, wherein the first mobility controller detects a pairing request usingthe first wireless transceiver, the pairing request being broadcast fromthe second mobility controller, and wherein the first mobilitycontroller is further operative to establish the secure paired wirelessconnection with the second mobility controller in response to thedetected pairing request.

8. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment7, wherein the first mobility controller is further operative toestablish an authorized association with the second mobility controllerin response to the detected pairing request and based upon a securitycredential sent to the first mobility controller from the secondmobility controller, the established authorization allowing the firstmobility controller to generate and provide the second mobilitycontroller with the master control input over the secure paired wirelessconnection and for the second mobility controller to receive and respondto the master control input.

9. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment8, wherein the first mobility controller is further operative to receivethe second feedback sensor data from the second mobility controllerabout the condition of the second modular mobility base.

10. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment9, wherein the first mobility controller is further operative togenerate updated master control input based upon the received secondfeedback sensor data from the second mobility controller about thecondition of the second modular mobility base and provide the secondmobility controller with the updated master control input over thesecure paired wireless connection and for the second mobility controllerto receive and respond to the updated master control input.

11. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment1, wherein the first mobile base platform comprises a first supportbase, a first set of wheels, and a selectively adjustable firstsuspension system that couples the first support base to the first setof wheels, the selectively adjustable first suspension system beingoperative to change an oriented configuration of the first support baserelative to the first set of wheels from a first orientation state to asecond orientation state in response to a first support base orientationcontrol signal from the first mobility controller; and

-   -   wherein the second mobile base platform comprises a second        support base, a second set of wheels, and a selectively        adjustable second suspension system that couples the second        support base to the second set of wheels, the selectively        adjustable second suspension system being operative to change an        oriented configuration of the second support base relative to        the second set of wheels from a third orientation state to a        fourth orientation state in response to a second support base        orientation control signal from the second mobility controller.

12. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment11, wherein the second support base orientation control signal isgenerated by the second mobility controller in response to a coordinatedsupport base orientation control signal from the first mobilitycontroller.

13. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment12, wherein the first mobility controller is operative to maintain adesired orientation configuration of the base adapter plate byperiodically generating an update for the first support base orientationcontrol signal and generating an update for the coordinated support baseorientation control signal.

14. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment13, wherein the desired orientation configuration comprises a desiredlifted attitude configuration of the base adapter plate.

15. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment13, wherein the desired orientation configuration comprises a desiredtilted attitude configuration of the base adapter plate.

16. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment14, wherein the desired orientation configuration comprises a desiredcombination lift and tilt attitude configuration of the base adapterplate.

17. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment11, wherein the selectively adjustable first suspension systemcomprising a plurality of first support base actuators individuallyresponsive to one of a plurality of first support base actuator controlsignals as part of the first support base orientation control signalfrom the first mobility controller; and

-   -   wherein the selectively adjustable second suspension system        comprising a plurality of second support base actuators        individually responsive to one of a plurality of second support        base actuator control signals as part of the second support base        orientation control signal generated by the second mobility        controller in response to a coordinated support base orientation        control signal from the first mobility controller.

18. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment17, wherein the first support base actuator control signals from thefirst mobility controller cause the first support base actuators toraise the first support base relative to the first set of wheels; and

-   -   wherein the second support base actuator control signals based        upon the coordinated support base orientation control signal        from the first mobility controller cause the second support base        actuators to lower the second support base relative to the        second set of wheels.

19. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment17, wherein the first mobility controller is operative to responsivelygenerate an update to the first support base orientation control signaland the coordinated support base orientation control signal based upon acombination of (a) the first feedback sensor data and (b) the secondfeedback sensor data as provided by the second mobility controller tothe first mobility controller.

20. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment17, wherein the first mobility controller is operative to responsivelygenerate an update to the first support base orientation control signaland the coordinated support base orientation control signal based uponand in response to a control command received by the first mobilitycontroller over the first wireless transceiver.

21. The modular multiple mobility base assembly apparatus of embodiment1, wherein the base adapter plate further comprises:

-   -   an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the base adapter        plate;    -   a first output power connection disposed on the bottom side of        the base adapter plate, the first output power connection being        coupled to the auxiliary power source and providing access by        the first modular mobility base to the auxiliary power source;        and    -   a second output power connection disposed on the bottom side of        the base adapter plate, the second output power connection being        coupled to the auxiliary power source and providing access by        the second modular mobility base to the auxiliary power source.

Further Embodiment C—Modular Auxiliary Power Module for a ModularAutonomous Bot Apparatus that Transports an Item Being Shipped

1. A modular auxiliary power module for a modular autonomous botapparatus that transports an item being shipped, the auxiliary powermodule comprising:

-   -   a base adapter platform having a top side, a bottom side, and a        plurality of peripheral edges, wherein the top side of the base        adapter platform having a cargo support area configured to        support the item being shipped, wherein the top side of the base        adapter platform includes at least a first interlocking        alignment interface and wherein the bottom side of the base        adapter platform includes at least a second interlocking        alignment interface;    -   a cargo door movably attached to and extending from one of the        peripheral edges of the base adapter platform;    -   an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the base adapter        platform; and    -   an output power outlet disposed as part of the base adapter        platform, the output power outlet being coupled to the auxiliary        power source and providing access by a first component of the        modular autonomous bot apparatus to the auxiliary power source.

2. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein the firstinterlocking alignment interface comprises a plurality of top alignmentchannels disposed on the peripheral edges of the base adapter platformnot having the cargo door.

3. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 2, wherein the firstinterlocking alignment interface further comprises a plurality oflatches, wherein each of the latches being disposed on one of the topalignment channels disposed on the peripheral edges of the base adapterplatform not having the cargo door, wherein each of the latchesconfigured to secure another mated component of the modular autonomousbot apparatus to the top side of the base adapter platform.

4. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thesecond interlocking alignment interface comprises at least one bottomalignment registration interface on the bottom side of the base adapterplatform configured to mate with at least one alignment registrationinterface on a mobility base component of the modular autonomous botapparatus.

5. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 4, where the secondinterlocking alignment interface further comprises a plurality oflatches configured to secure the base adapter platform to the mobilitybase component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

6. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein theauxiliary power source comprises a removable power pack.

7. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein theauxiliary power source comprises an extendible power pack that isconfigured to receive at least one additional power pack to extend theavailable output power provided by the auxiliary power source.

8. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1 further comprisinga modular component electronics interface disposed on the base adapterplatform, the modular component electronics interface providing (a) theoutput power outlet and (b) a command and data communication interface,the modular component electronics interface provided on the base adapterplatform to at least the another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus.

9. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein themodular component electronics interface comprises a top side modularcomponent electronics interface disposed on the top side of the baseadapter platform and a bottom side modular component electronicsinterface disposed on the bottom side of the base adapter platform; and

-   -   wherein the output power outlet comprises:        -   a first output power connection integrated as part of the            bottom side modular component electronics interface, the            first output power connection being coupled to the auxiliary            power source and providing access by a first component of            the modular autonomous bot apparatus to the auxiliary power            source, the first component of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus being disposed below the modular auxiliary power            module; and        -   a second output power connection integrated as part of the            top side modular component electronics interface, the second            output power connection being coupled to the auxiliary power            source and providing access by a second component of the            modular autonomous bot apparatus to the auxiliary power            source, the second component of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus being disposed above the modular auxiliary power            module.

10. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thecargo door is movably attached to the one of the peripheral edges of thebase adapter platform using an actuated joint.

11. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein theactuated joint comprises an actuated hinge.

12. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 10, wherein theactuated joint comprises a spring actuated joint that is self-closing.

13. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein thecargo door is movably attached to the one of the peripheral edges of thebase adapter platform using a joint; and

-   -   further comprising        -   a door actuator fixed to the base adapter platform and            operative to move the cargo door, and        -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and            responsive to a cargo door control input from a control            component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus received            over the command and data communication interface of the            modular component electronics interface, the door actuator            driver causing the door actuator to move the cargo door            relative to the base adapter platform in response to the            cargo door control input.

14. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thecargo door is movably attached to the one of the peripheral edges of thebase adapter platform using a joint; and

-   -   further comprising        -   a door actuator fixed to the base adapter platform and            operative to move the cargo door, and        -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and            responsive to an authorized wireless cargo door control            input from a control component of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus, the authorized wireless cargo door control input            being wirelessly received by the door actuator driver            causing the door actuator to move the cargo door relative to            the base adapter platform in response to the authorized            wireless cargo door control input.

15. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thecargo door is movably attached to the one of the peripheral edges of thebase adapter platform using a joint; and

-   -   further comprising        -   a door actuator fixed to the base adapter platform and            operative to move the cargo door, and        -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and            responsive to an authorized wireless cargo door control            input from an external wireless node disposed external to            the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the authorized            wireless cargo door control input being wirelessly received            by the door actuator driver causing the door actuator to            move the cargo door relative to the base adapter platform            and in response to the authorized wireless cargo door            control input.

16. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein thecargo door further comprises at least one actuated electro-mechanicallock responsive to a door lock control input from a control component ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus, the door lock control input beingreceived by the actuated electro-mechanical lock over the command anddata communication interface of the modular component electronicsinterface, the actuated electro-mechanical lock being operative toactivate to secure the cargo door when the cargo door is in a raisedclosed position in response to the door lock control input.

17. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thecargo door further comprises at least one actuated electro-mechanicallock responsive to an authorized wireless door lock control input from acontrol component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the wirelessdoor lock control input being wirelessly received by the actuatedelectro-mechanical lock causing the actuated electro-mechanical lock toactivate to secure the cargo door when the cargo door is in a raisedclosed position in response to the authorized wireless door lock controlinput.

18. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thecargo door further comprises at least one actuated electro-mechanicallock responsive to an authorized wireless door lock control input froman external wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomousbot apparatus, the authorized wireless door lock control input beingwirelessly received by the actuated electro-mechanical lock causing theactuated electro-mechanical lock to activate to secure the cargo doorwhen the cargo door is in a raised closed position in response to theauthorized wireless door lock control input.

19. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein thecargo door further comprises an electronic display interface coupled tothe command and data communication interface of the modular componentelectronics interface, the electronic display interface being operativeto generate a visual message on the cargo door.

20. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 19, wherein theelectronic display interface comprises a translucent panel that allowsvisibility through the cargo door while also being operative to generatethe visual message on the cargo door with generated characters.

21. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 19, wherein thevisual message comprises prompted instructions related to delivery ofthe item being shipped.

22. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated belt surface disposed on the top side of the base        adapter platform; and    -   a belt actuator driver coupled to the actuated belt surface and        responsive to a belt control input generated by a control        component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the belt        actuator driver causing the actuated belt surface to move        relative to the cargo door of the base adapter platform in        response to the belt control input.

23. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated belt surface disposed on the top side of the base        adapter platform; and    -   a belt actuator driver coupled to the actuated belt surface and        responsive to an authorized belt control input generated by an        external wireless node disposed external to the modular        autonomous bot apparatus, the belt actuator driver causing the        actuated belt surface to move relative to the cargo door of the        base adapter platform in response to the authorized belt control        input.

24. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated belt surface disposed on an inner side of the cargo        door; and    -   a belt actuator driver coupled to the actuated belt surface and        responsive to a belt control input generated by a control        component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the belt        actuator driver causing the actuated belt surface to move        relative to the cargo door in response to the belt control input        once the cargo door is in a deployed position.

25. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated belt surface disposed on an inner side of the cargo        door; and    -   a belt actuator driver coupled to the actuated belt surface and        responsive to an authorized belt control input generated by an        external wireless node disposed external to the modular        autonomous bot apparatus, the belt actuator driver causing the        actuated belt surface to move relative to the cargo door in        response to the authorized belt control input once the cargo        door is in a deployed position.

26. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 1, wherein thecargo door further comprises an extendible ramp that articulates outfrom an opposing end of the cargo door opposite the one of theperipheral edges of the base adapter platform.

27. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein thecargo door further comprises an extendible ramp that articulates outfrom an opposing end of the cargo door opposite the one of theperipheral edges of the base adapter platform, wherein the extendibleramp being responsive to a ramp deploy control input generated by acontrol component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus to articulatethe extendible ramp relative to the cargo door.

28. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 27, wherein theextendible ramp further comprises:

-   -   an actuated belt surface disposed on a top side of the        extendible ramp; and    -   a belt actuator driver coupled to the actuated belt surface and        responsive to a belt control input generated by a control        component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the belt        actuator driver causing the actuated belt surface to move        relative to the extendible ramp in response to the belt control        input once the cargo door is in a deployed position.

29. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated belt surface disposed on a top side of the        extendible ramp; and    -   a belt actuator driver coupled to the actuated belt surface and        responsive to an authorized belt control input generated by an        external wireless node disposed external to the modular        autonomous bot apparatus, the belt actuator driver causing the        actuated belt surface to move relative to the extendible ramp in        response to the authorized belt control input once the cargo        door is in a deployed position.

30. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   at least one actuated sliding arm disposed above the top side of        the base adapter platform; and    -   a sliding arm actuator driver coupled to the at least one        actuated sliding arm and responsive to a sliding arm control        input generated by a control component of the modular autonomous        bot apparatus, the sliding arm actuator driver causing the        actuated sliding arm to move at least towards the cargo door of        the base adapter platform in response to the sliding arm control        input.

31. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   at least one actuated sliding arm disposed above the top side of        the base adapter platform; and    -   a sliding arm actuator driver coupled to the at least one        actuated sliding arm and responsive to an authorized sliding arm        control input generated by an external wireless node disposed        external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the sliding        arm actuator driver causing the actuated sliding arm to move at        least towards the cargo door of the base adapter platform in        response to the authorized sliding arm control input.

32. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated grabbing arm disposed above the top side of the base        adapter platform, the actuated grabbing arm having a stationary        base coupled to the top side of the base adapter platform, a        movable grabbing arm coupled to the stationary base with        multiple degrees of freedom of movement, and grip head disposed        on the distal end of the movable grabbing arm where the grip        head is articulable to grab onto the item being shipped as        disposed on the top side of the base adapter platform; and    -   a grabbing arm actuator driver coupled to the actuated grabbing        arm and responsive to a grabbing arm control input generated by        a control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the        grabbing arm actuator driver (a) causing the actuated grabbing        arm to move towards the item being shipped, (b) causing the grip        head to grab onto the item being shipped, and (c) causing the        actuated grabbing arm to move the item being shipped as        maintained within the grip head at least towards the cargo door        of the base adapter platform in response to the grabbing arm        control input.

33. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 8, wherein the baseadapter platform further comprises:

-   -   an actuated grabbing arm disposed above the top side of the base        adapter platform, the actuated grabbing arm having a stationary        base coupled to the top side of the base adapter platform, a        movable grabbing arm coupled to the stationary base with        multiple degrees of freedom of movement, and grip head disposed        on the distal end of the movable grabbing arm where the grip        head is articulable to grab onto the item being shipped as        disposed on the top side of the base adapter platform; and    -   a grabbing arm actuator driver coupled to the actuated grabbing        arm and responsive to an authorized grabbing arm control input        generated by an external wireless node disposed external to the        modular autonomous bot apparatus, the grabbing arm actuator        driver (a) causing the actuated grabbing arm to move towards the        item being shipped, (b) causing the grip head to grab onto the        item being shipped, and (c) causing the actuated grabbing arm to        move the item being shipped as maintained within the grip head        at least towards the cargo door of the base adapter platform in        response to the authorized grabbing arm control input.

34. A modular auxiliary power module for a modular autonomous botapparatus that transports an item being shipped, the auxiliary powermodule comprising:

-   -   a base adapter platform having a top side, a bottom side, and a        plurality of peripheral edges, wherein the top side of the base        adapter platform having a cargo support area configured to        support the item being shipped, wherein the top side of the base        adapter platform includes at least a first interlocking        alignment interface and wherein the bottom side of the base        adapter platform includes at least a second interlocking        alignment interface;    -   a modular component electronics interface disposed as a conduit        from the top side of the base adapter platform to the bottom        side of the base adapter platform, the modular component        electronics interface providing (a) an output power outlet for        at least another modular component of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus and (b) a command and data communication interface to        at least the another modular component of the modular autonomous        bot apparatus;    -   an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the base adapter        platform, the auxiliary power source being coupled to the output        power outlet of the modular component electronics interface; and    -   a cargo door coupled to one of the peripheral edges of the base        adapter platform by at least one joint;    -   a door actuator fixed to the base adapter platform and to the        cargo door, the door actuator being operative to move the cargo        door; and    -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and        responsive to a cargo door control input from a control        component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus received over        the command and data communication interface of the modular        component electronics interface, the door actuator driver        causing the door actuator to move the cargo door relative to the        base adapter platform in response to the cargo door control        input.

35. A modular auxiliary power module for a modular autonomous botapparatus that transports an item being shipped, the auxiliary powermodule comprising:

-   -   a base adapter platform having a top side, a bottom side, and a        plurality of peripheral edges, wherein the top side of the base        adapter platform having a cargo support area configured to        support the item being shipped, wherein the top side of the base        adapter platform includes at least a first interlocking        alignment interface and wherein the bottom side of the base        adapter platform includes at least a second interlocking        alignment interface;    -   an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the base adapter        platform; and    -   a modular component electronics interface disposed as a conduit        from the top side of the base adapter platform to the bottom        side of the base adapter platform, the modular component        electronics interface providing (a) an output power outlet        coupled to the auxiliary power source and (b) a command and data        communication interface to at least another modular component of        the modular autonomous bot apparatus, wherein the modular        component electronics interface comprises        -   a top side modular component electronics interface disposed            on the top side of the base adapter platform, and        -   a bottom side modular component electronics interface            disposed on the bottom side of the base adapter platform,            and        -   wherein the output power outlet comprises:            -   a first output power connection integrated as part of                the bottom side modular component electronics interface,                the first output power connection being coupled to the                auxiliary power source and providing access by a first                component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus to the                auxiliary power source, the first component of the                modular autonomous bot apparatus being disposed below                the modular auxiliary power module; and            -   a second output power connection integrated as part of                the top side modular component electronics interface,                the second output power connection being coupled to the                auxiliary power source and providing access by a second                component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus to the                auxiliary power source, the second component of the                modular autonomous bot apparatus being disposed above                the modular auxiliary power module.

Further Embodiment D—A Modular Cargo Storage Apparatus for Use on a BasePlatform of a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus that Transports an ItemBeing Shipped

1. A modular cargo storage apparatus for use on a base platform of amodular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped,the modular cargo storage apparatus comprising:

-   -   a set of folding structural walls configured to at least        partially enclose a payload area above the base platform and on        at least three sides above the base platform and forming a set        of vertical boundaries on the at least three sides of the        payload area;    -   an interlocking alignment interface disposed on at least one of        the folding structural walls, the interlocking alignment        interface comprising        -   a set of latches disposed on the at least one of the folding            structural walls, and        -   a locking handle coupled to the set of latches, the locking            handle actuating the set of latches to cause the set of            latches to interlock with at least the base platform; and    -   a modular component power and data transport bus disposed on the        at least one of the folding structural walls, the modular        component power and data transport bus having a top side modular        component electronics interface and a bottom side modular        component electronics interface, wherein the top side modular        component electronics interface being disposed on a top edge of        the at least one of the folding structural walls and wherein the        bottom side modular component electronics interface being        disposed on a bottom edge of the at least one of the folding        structural walls, wherein each of the top side modular component        electronics interface and the bottom side modular component        electronics interface having (a) a power conduit outlet and (b)        a command and data communication interface.

2. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the setof latches comprises a pair of longitudinal support latches slidablyattached to the at least one of the folding structural walls and coupledto the locking handle, wherein each of the longitudinal support latcheshaving a top interlocking latch disposed above a top of the at least oneof the folding structural walls and a bottom interlocking latch disposedabove a bottom of the at least one of the folding structural walls; and

-   -   wherein the locking handle actuates a sliding movement of at        least one of the longitudinal support latches relative to the        other of the longitudinal support latches in a first direction        to engage the set of latches, and wherein the locking handle        actuates the sliding movement of at least one of the        longitudinal support latches relative to the other of the        longitudinal support latches in an opposite direction to engage        the set of latches.

3. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein thelocking handle actuates the sliding movement at least one of thelongitudinal support latches relative to the other of the longitudinalsupport latches by rotation of the locking handle relative to the pairof longitudinal support latches.

4. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein thesliding movement of both of the longitudinal support latches in responseto actuation of the locking handle moves the top interlocking latches oneach of the longitudinal support latches towards each other above thetop of the at least one of the folding structural walls to engage amating set of latches on a component of the modular autonomous botapparatus disposed above the modular cargo storage apparatus; and

-   -   wherein the sliding movement of both of the longitudinal support        latches in response to actuation of the locking handle also        moves the bottom interlocking latches on each of the        longitudinal support latches towards each other below the bottom        of the at least one of the folding structural walls to engage a        mating set of latches on the base platform below the modular        cargo storage apparatus.

5. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein thecomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus disposed above themodular cargo storage apparatus comprises a modular mobile autonomymodule component secured to the modular cargo storage apparatus by themating set of latches on the mobile autonomy module component inengagement with the top interlocking latches as a result of actuatingthe locking handle.

6. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the baseplatform of the modular autonomous bot apparatus disposed below themodular cargo storage apparatus comprises a modular auxiliary powermodule component secured to the modular cargo storage apparatus by themating set of latches on the auxiliary power module component inengagement with the bottom interlocking latches as a result of actuatingthe locking handle.

7. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein thelocking handle comprises an actuated electro-mechanical locking handleresponsive to a latch locking control input from a control component ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus, the latch locking control inputbeing received by the actuated electro-mechanical locking handle overthe modular component power and data transport bus, the actuatedelectro-mechanical locking handle being operative to actuate the set oflatches in response to the latch locking control input.

8. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein thelocking handle further comprises an actuated electro-mechanical lockinghandle responsive to an authorized wireless latch locking control inputfrom a control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, thewireless latch locking control input being wirelessly received by theactuated electro-mechanical locking handle causing the actuatedelectro-mechanical locking handle to actuate the set of latches inresponse to the authorized wireless latch locking control input.

9. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein thelocking handle further comprises an actuated electro-mechanical lockinghandle responsive to an authorized wireless latch locking control inputfrom an external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus, the authorized wireless latch locking controlinput being wirelessly received by the actuated electro-mechanicallocking handle causing the actuated electro-mechanical locking handle toactuate the set of latches in response to the authorized wireless latchlocking control input.

10. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein thelocking handle comprises:

-   -   a user input panel disposed on the at least one of the folding        structural walls, the user input panel accepting a latch locking        control input from a user; and    -   an actuated electro-mechanical locking handle operatively        coupled to the user input panel to receive the latch locking        control input, the actuated electro-mechanical locking handle        being responsive to the latch locking control input from the        user input panel to actuate the set of latches in response to        the latch locking control input.

11. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein thebase platform of the modular autonomous bot apparatus disposed below themodular cargo storage apparatus has a cargo door that when in a closedposition mates with the folding structural walls of the modular cargostorage apparatus to form a set of vertical boundaries on all sides ofthe payload area.

12. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the setof folding structural walls comprises at least a set of four cargostorage structural walls configured to vertically enclose the payloadarea above the base platform, wherein one of the folding structuralwalls comprises a cargo door movably attached to another of the foldingstructural walls, the cargo door being selectively opened to provideaccess to within the payload area.

13. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 12, wherein thecargo door is movably attached to the another of the folding structuralwalls using a self-closing actuated joint.

14. The modular auxiliary power module of embodiment 13, wherein theself-closing actuated joint comprises a spring-loaded hinge.

15. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 12 furthercomprising

-   -   a door actuator fixed to the another of the folding structural        walls having the cargo door, the door actuator being operative        to selectively move the cargo door to provide access to within        the payload area, and    -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and        responsive to a cargo door control input from a control        component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the cargo        door control input being received over the modular component        power and data transport bus causing the door actuator to        selectively move the cargo door in response to the cargo door        control input.

16. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 12 furthercomprising

-   -   a door actuator fixed to the another of the folding structural        walls having the cargo door, the door actuator being operative        to selectively move the cargo door to provide access to within        the payload area, and    -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and        responsive to an authorized wireless cargo door control input        from a control component of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus, the authorized wireless cargo door control input        being wirelessly received by the door actuator driver and        causing the door actuator to move the cargo door in response to        the authorized wireless cargo door control input.

17. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 12 furthercomprising

-   -   a door actuator fixed to the another of the folding structural        walls having the cargo door, the door actuator being operative        to selectively move the cargo door to provide access to within        the payload area, and    -   a door actuator driver coupled to the door actuator and        responsive to an authorized wireless cargo door control input        from an external wireless node disposed external to the modular        autonomous bot apparatus, the authorized wireless cargo door        control input being wirelessly received by the door actuator        driver and causing the door actuator to move the cargo door in        response to the authorized wireless cargo door control input.

18. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 12, wherein thecargo door further comprises an actuated electro-mechanical lockresponsive to a door lock control input from a control component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus, the door lock control input beingreceived by the actuated electro-mechanical lock over the modularcomponent power and data transport bus, the actuated electro-mechanicallock being operative to selectively secure or unlock the cargo door inresponse to the door lock control input.

19. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 12, wherein thecargo door further comprises an actuated electro-mechanical lockresponsive to an authorized wireless door lock control input from acontrol component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the wirelessdoor lock control input being wirelessly received by the actuatedelectro-mechanical lock causing the actuated electro-mechanical lock toselectively secure or unlock the cargo door in response to theauthorized wireless door lock control input.

20. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 12, wherein thecargo door further comprises an actuated electro-mechanical lockresponsive to an authorized wireless door lock control input from anexternal wireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous botapparatus, the authorized wireless door lock control input beingwirelessly received by the actuated electro-mechanical lock causing theactuated electro-mechanical lock to selectively secure or unlock thecargo door in response to the authorized wireless door lock controlinput.

21. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1 furthercomprising an electronic display interface disposed on one of thefolding structural walls, the electronic display interface being coupledto the modular component power and data transport bus, the electronicdisplay interface being operative to generate a visual message on theone of the folding structural walls.

22. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein theelectronic display interface comprises a translucent panel that allowsvisibility through the cargo door while also being operative to generatethe visual message on the cargo door with generated characters.

23. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein thevisual message comprises prompted instructions related to delivery ofthe item being shipped.

24. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein thevisual message comprises electronically displayed information about theitem being shipped.

25. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1 furthercomprising one or more sensors disposed on an internal side of at leastone of the folding structural walls, the sensors being operative tomonitor contents of the modular cargo storage apparatus in the payloadarea.

26. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25, wherein atleast one of the sensors comprising a proximity sensor for detecting aposition of the item being shipped as the item is maintained within thepayload area.

27. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25, wherein atleast one of the sensors comprising a proximity sensor for detecting aheight of the item being shipped as the item is maintained within thepayload area.

28. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25, wherein atleast one of the sensors comprising an environmental sensor fordetecting a current environmental condition within the payload area.

29. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25, wherein thesensors being operatively coupled to the modular component power anddata transport bus for reporting sensor data from the sensors over themodular component power and data transport bus.

30. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25 furthercomprising a sensor wireless transceiver disposed on one of the foldingstructure walls and coupled to each of the sensors, and wherein thesensor wireless transceiver wirelessly providing the sensor data to anauthorized control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

31. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25 furthercomprising a sensor wireless transceiver disposed on one of the foldingstructure walls and coupled to each of the sensors, and wherein thesensor wireless transceiver wirelessly providing the sensor data to anauthorized external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus.

32. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1 furthercomprising climate control module attached to one of the foldingstructural walls, the climate control module being coupled to themodular component power and data transport bus to at least power theclimate control module, wherein the climate control module beingoperative to alter an environment next to the climate control module tomaintain a desired environment next to the climate control module.

33. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theset of folding structural walls comprises a set of folding insulatedstructural walls.

34. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theclimate control module is temporarily attached to the one of the foldinginsulated structural walls so that the climate control module isremovable when the set of folding insulated structural walls isconfigured in a folded stored state.

35. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theclimate control module is self-regulating with a built-in environmentalsensor to sense the environment next to the climate control module and afeedback thermostat using sensor data from the environmental sensor as abasis for altering the environment next to the climate control module tomaintain the desired environment next to the climate control module.

36. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theclimate control module is responsive to a climate control input from acontrol component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the climatecontrol input being received by the climate control module over themodular component power and data transport bus, the climate controlmodule being operative to alter the environment next to the climatecontrol module to maintain the desired environment next to the climatecontrol module in response to the climate control input.

37. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theclimate control module is responsive to an authorized wireless climatecontrol input from a control component of the modular autonomous botapparatus, the wireless climate control input being wirelessly receivedby the climate control module causing the climate control module toalter the environment next to the climate control module to maintain thedesired environment next to the climate control module in response tothe authorized wireless climate control input.

38. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theclimate control module is responsive to an authorized wireless climatecontrol input from an external wireless node disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus, the authorized wireless climatecontrol input being wirelessly received by the climate control modulecausing the climate control module to alter the environment next to theclimate control module to maintain the desired environment next to theclimate control module in response to the authorized wireless climatecontrol input.

39. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 32, wherein theset of folding structural walls comprises a set of folding insulatedstructural walls.

40. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1 furthercomprising an actuated sliding arm assembly attached to one of thefolding structural walls, the actuated sliding arm assembly beingcoupled to the modular component power and data transport bus to atleast power the actuated sliding arm assembly, wherein the actuatedsliding arm assembly comprises:

-   -   an actuated sliding arm removably affixed to the one of the        folding structural walls; and    -   a sliding arm actuator driver coupled to the at least one        actuated sliding arm and responsive to a sliding arm control        input generated by a control component of the modular autonomous        bot apparatus, the sliding arm actuator driver causing the        actuated sliding arm to move the item being shipped within the        payload area in response to the sliding arm control input.

41. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 1 furthercomprising an actuated sliding arm assembly attached to one of thefolding structural walls, the actuated sliding arm assembly beingcoupled to the modular component power and data transport bus to atleast power the actuated sliding arm assembly, wherein the actuatedsliding arm assembly comprises:

-   -   an actuated sliding arm removably affixed to the one of the        folding structural walls; and    -   a sliding arm actuator driver coupled to the at least one        actuated sliding arm and responsive to an authorized wireless        sliding arm control input generated by an external wireless node        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the        sliding arm actuator driver causing the actuated sliding arm to        move the item being shipped within the payload area in response        to the authorized wireless sliding arm control input.

42. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25 furthercomprising an actuated grabbing arm assembly attached to one of thefolding structural walls, the actuated grabbing arm assembly beingcoupled to the modular component power and data transport bus to atleast power the actuated grabbing arm assembly, wherein the actuatedgrabbing arm assembly comprises:

-   -   an actuated grabbing arm removably coupled to the one of the        folding structural walls, the actuated grabbing arm having        -   a stationary base removably attached to the one of the            folding structural walls,        -   a movable grabbing arm coupled to the stationary base with            multiple degrees of freedom of movement, and        -   a grip head disposed on the distal end of the movable            grabbing arm where the grip head is articulable to grab onto            the item being shipped as disposed on the top side of the            base adapter platform; and    -   a grabbing arm actuator driver coupled to the actuated grabbing        arm and the sensors, the grabbing arm actuator driver being        responsive to a grabbing arm control input generated by a        control component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus and        sensor data from the sensors, the grabbing arm actuator        driver (a) detecting the item being shipped using the sensor        data, (b) causing the actuated grabbing arm to move towards the        item being shipped, (c) causing the grip head to grab onto the        item being shipped, and (d) causing the actuated grabbing arm to        move the item being shipped as maintained within the grip head        from within the payload area to outside the payload area in        response to the grabbing arm control input.

43. The modular cargo storage apparatus of embodiment 25 furthercomprising an actuated grabbing arm assembly attached to one of thefolding structural walls, the actuated grabbing arm assembly beingcoupled to the modular component power and data transport bus to atleast power the actuated grabbing arm assembly, wherein the actuatedgrabbing arm assembly comprises:

-   -   an actuated grabbing arm removably coupled to the one of the        folding structural walls, the actuated grabbing arm having        -   a stationary base removably attached to the one of the            folding structural walls,        -   a movable grabbing arm coupled to the stationary base with            multiple degrees of freedom of movement, and        -   a grip head disposed on the distal end of the movable            grabbing arm where the grip head is articulable to grab onto            the item being shipped as disposed on the top side of the            base adapter platform; and    -   a grabbing arm actuator driver coupled to the actuated grabbing        arm and the sensors, the grabbing arm actuator driver being        responsive to an authorized wireless grabbing arm control input        generated by an external wireless node disposed external to the        modular autonomous bot apparatus and sensor data from the        sensors, the grabbing arm actuator driver (a) detecting the item        being shipped using the sensor data, (b) causing the actuated        grabbing arm to move towards the item being shipped, (c) causing        the grip head to grab onto the item being shipped, and (d)        causing the actuated grabbing arm to move the item being shipped        as maintained within the grip head from within the payload area        to outside the payload area in response to the authorized        wireless grabbing arm control input.

Further Embodiment E—Detachable Modular Mobile Autonomy Control Modulefor a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus

1. A detachable modular mobile autonomy control module for a modularautonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped, themodular autonomous bot apparatus having at least a modular mobile basecomponent that propels the modular autonomous bot apparatus, the modularbot apparatus further having a modular cargo storage component having apayload area disposed below and open to the detachable modular mobileautonomy control module when assembled as part of the modular autonomousbot apparatus, the detachable modular mobile autonomy control modulecomprising:

-   -   a detachable modular housing comprising        -   a horizontally-oriented base cover configured to detachably            cover the payload area when the modular mobile autonomy            control module is attached to the modular cargo storage            component as part of the modular autonomous bot apparatus,            the base cover comprising at least a top side, a bottom            side, and a plurality of peripheral sides,        -   a plurality of latching points on the bottom side of the            base cover, the latching points operative to detachably            couple the detachable modular housing to the modular cargo            storage component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus;    -   an autonomous control system disposed within the detachable        modular housing;    -   location circuitry disposed within the detachable modular        housing, the location circuitry being operatively coupled to the        autonomous control system, the location circuitry generating        location data on a location of the detachable modular mobile        autonomy control module and providing the location data to the        autonomous control system;    -   a plurality of external sensors disposed on the detachable        modular housing, the sensors being operatively coupled to the        autonomous control system, the external sensors generating        external sensor data on an environment external to the        detachable modular mobile autonomy control module as detected by        the external sensors and providing the sensor data to the        autonomous control system;    -   a plurality of multi-element light panels disposed on at least a        subset of the peripheral sides of the base cover and operatively        coupled to the autonomous control system, the multi-element        light panels being operatively driven by the autonomous control        system; and    -   a modular component power and data transport bus disposed within        the detachable modular housing, the modular component power and        data transport bus having a bottom side modular component        electronics interface disposed on the bottom side of the        detachable modular housing that mates to a corresponding modular        component electronics interface on the modular cargo storage        component, wherein the bottom side modular component electronics        interface having (a) a power conduit input interface and (b) a        command and data communication interface, wherein the power        conduit input interface operatively coupled to the autonomous        control system, the location circuitry, and the multi-element        light panels; and    -   wherein the autonomous control system is programmatically        adapted and configured to be operative to at least        -   receive the sensor data from the external sensors disposed            on the detachable modular housing,        -   receive outside sensor data from additional sensors disposed            on the modular mobile base component, the outside sensor            data being received over the command and data communication            interface of the modular component power and data transport            bus,        -   generate steering and propulsion control output signals            based on the location data from the location circuitry, the            sensor data from the external sensors, the outside sensor            data, and destination information data maintained by the            autonomous control system,        -   generate first autonomous transport information to provide            on selective ones of the multi-element light panels, and        -   generate autonomous delivery information to provide on at            least one of the multi-element light panels.

2. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the detachable modular housing further comprises avertically-oriented raised display support protruding up from the topside of the base cover; and

-   -   further comprising        -   a first display interface disposed on a front side of the            vertically-oriented raised display support and operatively            coupled to the autonomous control system, the first display            interface being operatively driven by the autonomous control            system;        -   a second display interface disposed on a rear side of the            vertically-oriented raised display support and operatively            coupled to the autonomous control system, the second display            interface being operatively driven by the autonomous control            system;    -   wherein the power conduit input interface is also operatively        coupled to the first display interface and the second display        interface; and    -   wherein the autonomous control system is programmatically        adapted and configured to be further operative to:        -   generate second autonomous transport information to provide            on the first display interface and second display interface,            and        -   generate the autonomous delivery information to provide on            at least one of the first display interface, the second            display interface, and on at least one of the multi-element            light panels.

3. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the latching points disposed on the bottom side of the basecover comprise at least one set of passive latches that engage anopposing set of movable latches on the modular cargo storage component,wherein the detachable modular mobile autonomy control module is securedto the modular cargo storage component and covers the payload area whenthe at least one set of passive latches are engaged with the opposingset of movable latches on the modular cardo storage component.

4. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment3, wherein the set of passive latches comprises a set of interlockinglatches that mate to the opposing set of movable latches.

5. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the plurality of external sensors disposed on the detachablemodular housing are of different types of sensors.

6. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of external sensors areimplemented in a sensor pod removably attached to the detachable modularhousing.

7. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein a plurality of subsets of the plurality of external sensorsare respectively implemented in a plurality of interchangeable sensorpods, wherein each of the interchangeable sensor pods being removablyattached to the detachable modular housing and having a characteristictype of sensors in the subset of the external sensors.

8. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment 1further comprising one or more payload monitoring sensors disposed onthe bottom side of the base cover, the one or more payload monitoringsensors generating payload sensor data on the payload area disposedbelow the detachable modular mobile autonomy control module when thedetachable modular mobile autonomy control module is attached to themodular cargo storage component using the latching points, the one ormore payload monitoring sensors providing the payload sensor data to theautonomous control system.

9. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment8, wherein the one or more payload monitoring sensors are implemented ina sensor pod removably attached to the bottom side of the base cover.

10. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1 further comprising a wireless radio transceiver interface disposedwithin the detachable modular housing and being operatively coupled tothe autonomous control system, the wireless radio transceiver beingoperative to communicate with an actuated component on the modularautonomous bot apparatus.

11. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1 further comprising a wireless radio transceiver interface disposedwithin the detachable modular housing and being operatively coupled tothe autonomous control system, the wireless radio transceiver beingoperative to communicate with an external wireless node disposedexternal to the modular autonomous bot apparatus having the detachablemodular mobile autonomy control module.

12. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment11, wherein wireless radio transceiver being operative to receivecommand inputs from the external wireless node as a remote control inputfrom a delivery recipient.

13. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment11, wherein wireless radio transceiver being operative to receivecommand inputs from the external wireless node as a remote control inputfrom a delivery supplier.

14. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment11, wherein wireless radio transceiver being operative to request andreceive navigation assistance from the external wireless node.

15. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment11, wherein wireless radio transceiver being operative to request andreceive navigation assistance from a backend server as the externalwireless node.

16. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the detachable modular housing further comprises a pluralityof externally focused lights disposed on one or more of the peripheralsides of the base cover, the externally focused lights being selectivelypowered by the autonomous control system to enhance processing of thesensor data from the external sensors and enhance processing of theoutside sensor data from the additional sensors disposed on the modularmobile base component.

17. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment8, wherein the detachable modular housing further comprises one or morepayload focused lights disposed on the bottom of the base cover, thepayload focused lights being selectively powered by the autonomouscontrol system to enhance processing of the payload sensor data from thepayload monitoring sensors disposed on the bottom side of the basecover.

18. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1 further comprising a secondary power source disposed within thedetachable modular housing, wherein the second power source beingoperatively coupled to provide backup power to at least the autonomouscontrol system.

19. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the autonomous control system is further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to process at least the sensordata from the external sensors disposed on the detachable modularhousing for object detection and collision avoidance as part ofgenerating the steering and propulsion control output signals.

20. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the autonomous control system is further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to process at least the sensordata from the external sensors disposed on the detachable modularhousing and process the outside sensor data from the additional sensorsdisposed on the modular mobile base component

-   -   for object detection and collision avoidance as part of        generating the steering and propulsion control output signals.

21. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, wherein the autonomous control system is further programmaticallyadapted and configured to be operative to generate an actuator controlsignal as part of a logistics operation once the location data from thelocation circuitry indicates the detachable modular mobile autonomycontrol module is at a desired logistics location.

22. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a lock actuatorcontrol signal provided to an electro-mechanically actuated lock on themodular bot apparatus that selectively secures and unsecures access tothe payload area.

23. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a handle actuatorcontrol signal provided to an electro-mechanically actuated lock on themodular bot apparatus that selectively secures and unsecures access tothe payload area.

24. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a door actuatorcontrol signal provided to a door actuator on the modular bot apparatusthat selectively opens and closes access to the payload area.

25. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a belt actuatorcontrol signal provided to a belt actuator on the modular bot apparatusthat selectively moves the item being shipped from within the payloadarea.

26. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a climate controlsignal for a climate control module on the modular cargo storagecomponent, the climate control signal being provided to the climatecontrol module for selectively modifying an environment within thepayload area.

27. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a sliding arm actuatorcontrol signal provided to a sliding arm actuator within the payloadarea that responsively moves the item being shipped in response to thesliding arm actuator control signal.

28. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a grabbing armactuator control signal provided to a grabbing arm actuator within thepayload area that responsively grasps the item being shipped and movesthe item being shipped in response to the grabbing arm actuator controlsignal.

29. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment21, wherein the actuator control signal comprises a support baseactuator control signal provided to a selectively adjustable suspensionsystem on the modular mobile base component that responsively changes anorientation state of the modular mobile base component in response tothe support base actuator control signal.

30. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment1, further comprising an authentication interface coupled to theautonomous control system, the authentication interface being operativeto verify another modular component attached to the latching points isan authenticated modular component based upon component-to-componentsecure handshaking with a corresponding authentication interface on theanother modular component.

31. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment30, wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking comprises achallenge and security credential response between the authenticationinterface on the detachable modular mobility autonomy control module andthe authentication interface on the another modular component.

32. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment31, wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking comprises acomparison of the security credential response from the authenticationinterface on the another modular component to a security credentialmaintained as part of the authentication interface on the detachablemodular mobility autonomy control module, and wherein the anothermodular component attached to the latching points is verified to be theauthenticated modular component based upon the comparison.

33. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment30, wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based uponat least one from a group comprising one or more regulatory rules, oneor more contractual rules, and one or more safety rules.

34. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment30, wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based uponlogistical constraint information on a determined work environment forthe detachable modular mobile autonomy control module, the logicalconstraint information being identified as part of a security credentialmaintained as part of the authentication interface on the detachablemodular mobility autonomy control module.

35. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment34, wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a sizelimitation for the detachable modular mobile autonomy control module.

36. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment34, wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a weightlimitation for the detachable modular mobile autonomy control module.

37. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment34, wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a readinesslimitation for the detachable modular mobile autonomy control module.

38. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment37, wherein the readiness limitation comprising one or more performancethresholds for the detachable modular mobile autonomy control module inan anticipated deployment operation of the detachable modular mobileautonomy control module.

39. The detachable modular mobile autonomy control module of embodiment30, further comprising a wireless radio transceiver interface disposedwithin the detachable modular housing and being operatively coupled tothe autonomous control system, the wireless radio transceiver beingoperative to communicate with a server;

-   -   wherein the autonomous control system is further        programmatically adapted and configured to be operative to        -   notify the server over the wireless radio transceiver that            another modular component attached to the latching points is            not verified to be the authenticated modular component based            upon between the authentication interface on the detachable            modular mobility autonomy control module and the            authentication interface on the another modular component.

Further Embodiment F—A Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly forTransporting an Item Being Shipped

1. A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly for transporting an itembeing shipped, comprising:

-   -   a modular mobility base comprising        -   a mobile base platform,        -   a mobility controller disposed as part of the base platform,        -   a propulsion system connected to the mobile base platform,            the propulsion system being responsive to a propulsion            control input from the mobility controller to cause changes            in speed of the modular mobility base,        -   a steering system connected to the mobile base platform and            coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system            responsive to a steering control input from the mobility            controller and operative to cause changes to directional            movement of the modular mobility base,        -   a plurality of mobility base sensors coupled to the mobility            controller and disposed on the base platform, the mobility            base sensors being operative to autonomously detect an            object in the path of the modular mobility base and provide            base feedback sensor data to the mobility controller on the            detected object, and        -   a first interface to a common modular component power and            data transport bus, the first interface providing a power            conduit for the modular mobility base and a command and data            interface conduit for at least the mobility controller;    -   a modular auxiliary power module detachably attached to the        modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module        comprising        -   a base adapter platform detachably mounted to the mobile            base platform of the modular mobility base, the base adapter            platform having a payload support surface area, a top            interlocking alignment interface, and a bottom interlocking            alignment interface, wherein the payload support surface            area is disposed on a top of the base adapter platform to            support the item being shipped, and wherein the bottom            interlocking alignment interface is disposed on a bottom of            the base adapter platform to latch to the mobile base            platform,        -   an articulating cargo door movably attached to and extending            from the base adapter platform,        -   an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the base            adapter platform, and        -   a second interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the second interface providing a power            conduit for the modular auxiliary power module and a command            and data interface conduit for the modular auxiliary power            module, wherein the power conduit for the modular auxiliary            power module is coupled to the auxiliary power source and            provides access to power provided by the auxiliary power            source;    -   a modular cargo storage system detachably attached to the        modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system        comprising        -   a set of folding structural walls configured to partially            enclose the payload support area above the base adapter            platform of the modular auxiliary power module, the folding            structural walls forming vertical boundaries above the            payload support area with the articulating cargo door of the            auxiliary power module,        -   an actuated set of latches disposed on the at least one of            the folding structural walls, and        -   a locking handle coupled to the actuated set of latches, the            locking handle causing the actuated set of latches to            detachably interlock with at least the base adapter platform            of the modular auxiliary power module; and        -   a third interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the third interface providing a power            conduit for the modular cargo storage system and a command            and data interface conduit for the modular cargo storage            system, wherein the power conduit for the modular auxiliary            power module is operatively coupled to the auxiliary power            source and provides access to power provided by the            auxiliary power source; and    -   a modular mobile autonomy control module detachably attached to        a top edge of the folding structure walls of the modular cargo        storage system, the modular mobile autonomy control module        completing the enclosure of the payload support area when        connected to the top edge of the folding structure walls of the        modular cargo storage system, the modular mobile autonomy        control module comprising        -   a detachable modular housing detachably connected to the top            edge of the folding structure walls of the cargo storage            system,        -   a plurality of latching points disposed on the detachable            modular housing, the latching points engaging the actuated            set of latches when the locking handle detachably interlocks            the actuated set of latches to the latching points,        -   an autonomous controller disposed within the detachable            modular housing,        -   a plurality of human interaction interfaces disposed on the            detachable modular housing, wherein each of the human            interaction interfaces being operatively coupled to the            autonomous controller,        -   location circuitry disposed within the detachable modular            housing, the location circuitry being operatively coupled to            the autonomous controller, the location circuitry generating            location data on a location of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly and providing the location data to the            autonomous controller;        -   a plurality of autonomy module sensors disposed on the            mobile autonomy control module and operatively coupled to            the autonomous controller, wherein the autonomy module            sensors being operative to generate onboard sensor data on            an environment external to the modular mobile autonomy            control module as detected by the autonomy module sensors            and providing the onboard sensor data to the autonomous            controller, and        -   a fourth interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the fourth interface providing a power            conduit for the modular mobile autonomy control module and a            command and data interface conduit for the modular mobile            autonomy control module, wherein the command and data            interface conduit is operatively coupled to at least the            autonomous controller; and        -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile            autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and            configured to be operative to at least            -   receive information from the mobility controller through                the common modular component power and data transport                bus, the received information being about the base                feedback sensor data,            -   receive the onboard sensor data from the autonomy module                sensors,            -   generate a steering control command and a propulsion                control command based at least upon the location data                from the location circuitry, the received information on                the base feedback sensor data from the mobility                controller, the onboard sensor data as received by the                autonomous controller from the autonomy module sensors,                and destination information data maintained by the                autonomous controller,            -   transmit the steering control command and the propulsion                control command through the common modular component                power and data transport bus for receipt by the mobility                controller, and            -   generate transport and delivery information to provide                on the human interaction interfaces.

2. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module are each authenticated modular components based upon acomponent-to-component secure handshaking between proximately attachedones of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module.

3. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking comprises achallenge and security credential response between proximately attachedones of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module.

4. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile autonomycontrol module are verified to be authenticated modular components forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly as each of the modularmobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargostorage system, and the modular mobile autonomy control module areassembled into the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

5. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based upon atleast one from a group comprising one or more regulatory rules, one ormore contractual rules, and one or more safety rules.

6. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based uponlogistical constraint information on a determined work environment forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

7. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 6,wherein the logical constraint information being identified as part ofthe security credential response.

8. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 6,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a sizelimitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

9. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 6,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a weightlimitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

10. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 6,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a readinesslimitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

11. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 10,wherein the readiness limitation comprising one or more performancethresholds for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly in ananticipated deployment operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

12. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the modular mobile autonomy control module further comprises awireless radio transceiver operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy        control module is further programmatically adapted and        configured to be operative to        -   notify a server over the wireless radio transceiver that one            or more of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary            power module, and the modular cargo storage system are not            authenticated modular components based upon the            component-to-component secure handshaking between the            modular mobile autonomy control module and each of the            modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,            and the modular cargo storage system, and        -   request a replacement component for the one or more of the            modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,            and the modular cargo storage system that are not            authenticated modular components.

13. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate a component replacement request message on atleast one of the human interaction interfaces disposed on the detachablemodular housing when one or more of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system arenot authenticated modular components based upon thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking between the modular mobileautonomy control module and each of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system,the component replacement request message requesting a replacementcomponent for the one or more of the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system that arenot authenticated modular components.

14. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to

-   -   receive an authentication result from one of the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system, wherein the authentication result        indicating that at least one of the modular mobility base, the        modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage        system are not authenticated modular components based upon the        component-to-component secure handshaking between proximate ones        of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power        module, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile        autonomy control module; and    -   notify a server over the wireless radio transceiver that one or        more of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power        module, and the modular cargo storage system are not        authenticated modular components based upon the authentication        result received.

15. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 2,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to

-   -   receive an authentication result from one of the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system, wherein the authentication result        indicating that at least one of the modular mobility base, the        modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage        system are not authenticated modular components based upon the        component-to-component secure handshaking between proximate ones        of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power        module, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile        autonomy control module; and    -   generate a component replacement request message on at least one        of the human interaction interfaces disposed on the detachable        modular housing based upon the authentication result received.

16. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein each of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary powermodule, and the modular cargo storage system are authenticated modularcomponents based upon a component-to-component secure handshakingbetween the modular mobile autonomy control module and each of themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system.

17. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 16,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking comprises achallenge and security credential response between the modular mobileautonomy control module and each of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system.

18. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 16,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based upon atleast one from a group comprising one or more regulatory rules, one ormore contractual rules, and one or more safety rules.

19. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 16,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based uponlogistical constraint information on a determined work environment forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

20. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 20,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a sizelimitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

21. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 20,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a weightlimitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

22. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 20,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a readinesslimitation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

23. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 22,wherein the readiness limitation comprising one or more performancethresholds for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly in ananticipated deployment operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

24. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 16,wherein the modular mobile autonomy control module further comprises awireless radio transceiver operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy        control module is further programmatically adapted and        configured to be operative to        -   notify a server over the wireless radio transceiver that one            or more of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary            power module, and the modular cargo storage system are not            authenticated modular components based upon the            component-to-component secure handshaking between the            modular mobile autonomy control module and each of the            modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,            and the modular cargo storage system, and        -   request a replacement component for the one or more of the            modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module,            and the modular cargo storage system that are not            authenticated modular components.

25. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 14,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate a component replacement request message on atleast one of the human interaction interfaces disposed on the detachablemodular housing when one or more of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system arenot authenticated modular components based upon thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking between the modular mobileautonomy control module and each of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system,the component replacement request message requesting a replacementcomponent for the one or more of the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system that arenot authenticated modular components.

26. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base further comprises a set of suspensionorientation actuators disposed within the mobile base platform, the setof suspension orientation actuators being operative to responsivelyalter an orientation of the mobile base platform relative to a groundsurface on which the mobile base platform is supported in response to asupport base orientation control command generated by the autonomouscontroller and provided to the mobility controller over the commonmodular component power and data transport bus.

27. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular auxiliary power module further comprises a cargodoor actuator disposed on the base adapter platform, the cargo dooractuator being operative to responsively move the articulating cargodoor in response to a cargo door control command generated by theautonomous controller and provided to a door actuator driver on the baseadapter platform over the common modular component power and datatransport bus.

28. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular auxiliary power module further comprises a beltactuator disposed on the base adapter platform, the belt actuator beingoperative to responsively move an actuated belt surface disposed on thebase adapter platform in response to a belt control command generated bythe autonomous controller and provided to a belt actuator driver on thebase adapter platform over the common modular component power and datatransport bus.

29. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular auxiliary power module further comprises a ramp beltactuator disposed on the articulating cargo door, the ramp belt actuatorbeing operative to responsively move an actuated ramp belt surfacedisposed on the articulating cargo door in response to a ramp beltcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided to aramp belt actuator driver on the articulating cargo door over the commonmodular component power and data transport bus.

30. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular auxiliary power module further comprises an actuatedelectro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular auxiliary power module,the actuated electro-mechanical lock being operative to responsivelysecure the articulating cargo door in response to a door lock controlcommand generated by the autonomous controller and provided to theactuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular auxiliary power moduleover the common modular component power and data transport bus.

31. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises an actuatedelectro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage system,the actuated electro-mechanical lock being operative to responsivelysecure the articulating cargo door in response to a door lock controlcommand generated by the autonomous controller and provided to theactuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage systemover the common modular component power and data transport bus.

32. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises an actuatedelectro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage system,the actuated electro-mechanical lock being operative to responsivelyactuate the set of actuated latches in response to a latch lockingcontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided tothe actuated electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage systemover the common modular component power and data transport bus.

33. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises climatecontrol module disposed within the modular cargo storage system, theclimate control module being operative to responsively alter anenvironment of the payload support area to maintain a desiredenvironment within the payload support area in response to a climatecontrol command generated by the autonomous controller and provided tothe climate control module on the modular cargo storage system over thecommon modular component power and data transport bus.

34. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises an actuatedsliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system, the actuatedsliding arm being operative to responsively move the item being shippedwithin the payload support area in response to a sliding arm controlcommand generated by the autonomous controller and provided to theactuated sliding arm on the modular cargo storage system over the commonmodular component power and data transport bus.

35. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises an actuatedgrabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system, the actuatedgrabbing arm being operative to responsively obtain and move the itembeing shipped within the payload support area in response to a grabbingarm control command generated by the autonomous controller and providedto the actuated grabbing arm on the modular cargo storage system overthe common modular component power and data transport bus.

36. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobile autonomy control module further comprises oneor more payload monitoring sensors disposed on a bottom side of thedetachable modular housing and operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller, the one or more payload monitoring sensors generatingpayload sensor data on the payload support area and providing thepayload sensor data to the autonomous controller; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically        adapted and configured to be operative to monitor the payload        sensor data.

37. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 36,wherein the one or more payload monitoring sensors are implemented in adetachable sensor pod attached to the bottom side of the detachablemodular housing and operatively coupled to the autonomous controllerwhile assembling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

38. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 37,wherein the detachable sensor pod includes at least some of the payloadmonitoring sensors of a predetermined sensor type correlating to anassigned dispatch use profile maintained by the autonomous controller.

39. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 38,wherein the assigned dispatch use profile maintained by the autonomouscontroller comprises data received by the autonomous controller on theassigned dispatch operation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

40. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein one or more of the autonomy module sensors are implemented in adetachable sensor pod attached to the detachable modular housing andoperatively coupled to the autonomous controller while assembling themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

41. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 40,wherein the detachable sensor pod includes at least some of the autonomymodule sensors of a predetermined sensor type correlating to an assigneddispatch use profile maintained by the autonomous controller.

42. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 41,wherein the assigned dispatch use profile maintained by the autonomouscontroller comprises data received by the autonomous controller on theassigned dispatch operation for the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

43. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobile autonomy control module further comprises awireless radio transceiver interface disposed within the detachablemodular housing and being operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller, the wireless radio transceiver being operative tocommunicate with an external wireless node disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus.

44. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the external wireless node comprises a handheld wireless useraccess device.

45. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the external wireless node comprises a server disposed externalto the modular autonomous bot apparatus.

46. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to receive an assigned dispatch useprofile for the modular autonomous bot apparatus from the server,wherein the assigned dispatch use profile identifying a type of each ofthe modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, themodular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule used as part of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

47. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 46,wherein the assigned dispatch use profile for the modular autonomous botapparatus providing authentication information used for verifying anauthentication status for each of the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system, and themodular mobile autonomy control module used as part of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

48. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to wirelessly receive a remote commandinput for the modular autonomous bot apparatus from the externalwireless node through the wireless radio transceiver interface.

49. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 48,wherein the remote command input comprises a remote control input from adelivery supplier.

50. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 48,wherein the remote command input comprises a remote control input from adelivery recipient.

51. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to wirelessly request and receivenavigation assistance from a backend server as the external wirelessnode.

52. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to wirelessly request and receivenavigation assistance from an authorized handheld wireless user accessdevice as the external wireless node.

53. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 43,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to

-   -   detect when a current location of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus is within a threshold distance from a destination        point for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly        according to an assigned dispatch use profile for the modular        autonomous bot apparatus;    -   transmit a remote control request over the wireless radio        transceiver interface to the external wireless node;    -   receive a series of remote control command inputs from the        external wireless node through the wireless radio transceiver;    -   generate responsive steering control commands and responsive        propulsion control command based upon the series of remote        control command inputs; and    -   transmit the responsive steering control commands and the        responsive propulsion control commands to the mobility        controller through the common modular component power and data        transport bus for receipt by the mobility controller allowing        the external wireless node to control navigation of the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly during a final segment of a        deployment operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly as the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves        to the destination point.

54. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 53,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to

-   -   receive the base feedback sensor data from the mobility        controller during the final segment of the deployment operation        of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly as the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves to the destination        point;    -   receive the onboard sensor data from the autonomy module sensors        during the final segment of the deployment operation of the        modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly as the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves to the destination        point; and    -   transmit a subset of the received base feedback sensor data and        the received onboard sensor data to the external wireless node        as remote navigation feedback information.

55. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 53,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to update onboard routing information onthe autonomous controller with at least a portion of the received basefeedback sensor data and the received onboard sensor data.

56. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 55,wherein the onboard routing information comprises a database of mappinginformation; and

-   -   wherein the portion of the received base feedback sensor data        and the received onboard sensor data that update the database of        mapping information provides a higher definition information        than exists within the database of mapping information for the        final segment of the deployment operation.

57. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 32,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to:

-   -   receive the base feedback sensor data from the mobility        controller;    -   receive the onboard sensor data from the autonomy module        sensors;    -   detect an adverse approaching impact based upon the base        feedback sensor data and the onboard sensor data;    -   generate a failsafe mode unlock signal for the actuated        electro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage        system in response to the detected adverse approaching impact;        and    -   transmit the failsafe mode unlock signal to the actuated        electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage system over        the common modular component power and data transport bus to        cause the actuated electro-mechanical lock to unlock the set of        actuated set of latches in response to the detected adverse        approaching impact.

58. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 32,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to:

-   -   detect an adverse power level of the auxiliary power source        below a failure threshold power level;    -   generate a failsafe mode unlock signal for the actuated        electro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage        system in response to the detected adverse power level of the        auxiliary power source; and    -   transmit the failsafe mode unlock signal to the actuated        electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage system over        the common modular component power and data transport bus to        cause the actuated electro-mechanical lock to unlock the set of        actuated set of latches in response to the detected adverse        power level of the auxiliary power source.

59. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 32,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to:

-   -   generate a failsafe mode unlock signal for the actuated        electro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage        system after transmitting a request for assistance to a server;        and    -   transmit the failsafe mode unlock signal to the actuated        electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage system over        the common modular component power and data transport bus to        cause the actuated electro-mechanical lock to unlock the set of        actuated set of latches in response to the detected adverse        power level of the auxiliary power source.

60. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 32,wherein the autonomous controller is further programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to:

-   -   generate a failsafe mode unlock signal for the actuated        electro-mechanical lock disposed on the modular cargo storage        system after transmitting a request for assistance to an        external wireless node; and    -   transmit the failsafe mode unlock signal to the actuated        electro-mechanical lock on the modular cargo storage system over        the common modular component power and data transport bus to        cause the actuated electro-mechanical lock to unlock the set of        actuated set of latches in response to the detected adverse        power level of the auxiliary power source.

60. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises at least oneshelving separator disposed within the payload support area anddetachable mounted to at least one of the folding structural walls, theshelving separator partioning the payload area into a plurality ofpayload compartments.

61. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 60,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises a climatecontrol module disposed within one of the payload compartments, theclimate control module being coupled to the common modular componentpower and data transport bus to at least power the climate controlmodule, wherein the climate control module being operative to alter anenvironment within the one of the payload compartments to maintain adesired environment within the one of the payload compartments.

62. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 61,wherein the climate control module is attached to one of the foldingstructural walls.

63. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 61,wherein the climate control module is attached to the at least oneshelving separator.

64. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 61,wherein the climate control module is detachably disposed within the oneof the payload compartments.

65. The modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly of embodiment 60,wherein the modular cargo storage system further comprises:

-   -   a first detachable climate control module disposed within a        first of the payload compartments, the first climate control        module being coupled to the common modular component power and        data transport bus to at least power the first climate control        module, wherein the first climate control module being operative        to alter an environment within the first of the payload        compartments to maintain a first desired environment within the        first of the payload compartments; and    -   a second detachable climate control module disposed within a        second of the payload compartments, the second climate control        module being coupled to the common modular component power and        data transport bus to at least power the second climate control        module, wherein the second climate control module being        operative to alter an environment within the second of the        payload compartments to maintain a second desired environment        within the second of the payload compartments.

65. A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly for transporting an itembeing shipped, comprising:

-   -   a modular mobility base comprising        -   a steerable powered base platform responsive to navigation            inputs to cause changes to a movement and path of the            steerable powered base platform,        -   a plurality of base sensors disposed on the steerable            powered base platform, the sensors being operative to            generate base feedback sensor data on an object in the path            of the modular mobility base,        -   a set of actuators for tilting an orientation of the            steerable powered base platform relative to the ground,        -   a mobility controller disposed as part of the base platform,            the mobility controller being coupled to the base sensors            and the set of actuators, the mobility controller being            operative to receive the base feedback sensor data and            generate the navigation inputs, and        -   a first interface to a common modular component power and            data transport bus, the common modular component power and            data transport bus being coupled to at least the mobility            controller;    -   a modular auxiliary power module detachably connected to the        modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module        comprising        -   a base adapter platform having a payload area on top of the            base adapter platform,        -   an auxiliary power source disposed as part of the base            adapter platform,        -   an articulating cargo door extending from a side of the base            adapter platform, and        -   a second interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the common modular component power and            data transport bus being coupled to at least the auxiliary            power source so as to supply power onto the common modular            component power and data transport bus;    -   a modular cargo storage module detachably connected to the        modular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage module        comprising        -   a set of folding structural walls assembled on the base            adapter platform to partially enclose a payload area on at            least three sides above the base adapter platform and            forming vertical boundaries above the payload area with the            articulating cargo door of the modular auxiliary power            module,        -   a locking handle that causes the modular cargo storage            system to latch to the base adapter platform, and        -   a third interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus;    -   a modular mobile autonomy module detachably connected to a top        of the folding structure walls of the modular cargo storage        module, the modular mobile autonomy module completing the        enclosure of the payload area when connected to the top of the        folding structure walls of the modular cargo storage module, the        modular mobile autonomy module comprising        -   a plurality of human interaction interfaces disposed on the            modular mobile autonomy module,        -   a plurality of autonomy module sensors disposed on the            modular mobile autonomy module,        -   an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled            to the human interaction interfaces and the autonomy module            sensors on the modular mobile autonomy module,        -   a fourth interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the common modular component power and            data transport bus being coupled to at least the autonomous            controller, and        -   a wireless communication interface coupled to the autonomous            controller, the wireless communication interface being            operative to provide a wireless communication path to an            external wireless node disposed external to the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly.    -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy        control module is programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to at least        -   receive information from the mobility controller through at            least the first common modular component power and data            transport bus, the received information being about the base            feedback sensor data,        -   receive onboard sensor data from the autonomy module            sensors,        -   generate a steering control command and a propulsion control            command based at least upon the location data from the            location circuitry, the received information on the base            feedback sensor data from the mobility controller, the            onboard sensor data as received by the autonomous controller            from the autonomy module sensors, and destination            information data maintained by the autonomous controller,        -   transmit the steering control command and the propulsion            control command through at least the fourth common modular            component power and data transport bus to the first common            modular component power and data transport bus for receipt            by the mobility controller, and        -   generate transport and delivery information to provide on            the human interaction interfaces.

66. A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly for transporting an itembeing shipped, comprising:

-   -   a modular mobility base comprising        -   a base platform,        -   a mobility controller disposed as part of the base platform,        -   a propulsion system on the base platform, the propulsion            system being responsive to inputs from the mobility            controller,        -   a steering system coupled to the propulsion system, the            steering system responsive to inputs from the mobility            controller and operative to cause changes to movement of the            modular mobility base,        -   a plurality of sensors coupled to the mobility controller            and disposed on the base platform, the sensors being            operative to autonomously detect objects and obstacles in            the path of the modular mobility base and provide feedback            data to the mobility controller on detections, and        -   a set of actuators for tilting the orientation of the base            platform relative to the parts of the propulsion system that            contact the ground;    -   a modular auxiliary power module affixed to the powered mobility        base, the auxiliary power module comprising at least        -   a power connection that provides power to the powered            mobility base, and        -   an articulating cargo door extending from a side of the            auxiliary power module;    -   a modular cargo storage system affixed to the auxiliary power        module, the modular cargo storage system comprising        -   a set of folding structural walls configured to partially            enclose a payload area on at least three sides above the            base platform and forming vertical boundaries of the payload            area with the articulating cargo door of the auxiliary power            module        -   a locking handle that causes the modular cargo storage            system to latch to the base platform, and        -   a power and data transport bus that provides communication            and power conduit up from the modular auxiliary power module            and the modular mobility base; and    -   a modular mobile autonomy module connected to a top edge of the        folding structure walls of the cargo storage system, the mobile        autonomy module completing the enclosure of the payload area        when connected to the top edge of the folding structure walls of        the modular cargo storage system, the mobile autonomy module        comprising        -   a plurality of human interaction interfaces disposed on            edges of the mobile autonomy module,        -   a plurality of sensors disposed on the mobile autonomy            module,        -   a controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human            interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy            module and with the power and data transport bus for            operative communications with the powered mobility base, and        -   a wireless communication interface coupled to the            controller.

67. A method of on-demand building of a modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly that transports an item being shipped, the method comprisingthe steps of:

-   -   receiving, by an assembly server, a request for assembly of the        modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly;    -   generating, by the assembly server, an assigned dispatch use        profile that identifies a type of each of a modular mobility        base, a modular auxiliary power module, a modular cargo storage        system, and a modular mobile autonomy control module to be used        as authorized parts of the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly based on the request for assembly;    -   detachably mounting a selected modular mobility base to a        selected modular auxiliary power module using an interlocking        alignment interface disposed on each of the selected modular        mobility base and the selected modular auxiliary power module;    -   detachably mounting a selected modular cargo storage system to a        top of the selected modular auxiliary power module;    -   detachably mounting a selected modular mobile autonomy control        module to a top of the selected modular cargo storage system;    -   securing the selected modular cargo storage system to each of        the selected modular auxiliary power module and the selected        modular mobile autonomy control module using a locking handle        actuating at least one set of actuated latches disposed on the        selected modular cargo storage system;    -   downloading, by the assembly server, the assigned dispatch use        profile for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly to the        selected modular mobile autonomy control module; and    -   authenticating each of the selected modular mobility base, the        selected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modular        cargo storage system according to authentication information in        the assigned dispatch use profile.

68. The method of embodiment 67, wherein the authenticating stepcomprises a component-to-component secure handshaking betweenproximately attached ones of the selected modular mobility base, theselected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargostorage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control module.

69. The method of embodiment 68, wherein the component-to-componentsecure handshaking comprises a challenge and security credentialresponse between proximately attached ones of the selected modularmobility base, the selected modular auxiliary power module, the selectedmodular cargo storage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomycontrol module.

70. The method of embodiment 67, wherein the authenticating stepcomprises authenticating, by the selected modular mobile autonomycontrol module, each of the selected modular mobility base, the selectedmodular auxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargo storagesystem according to the authentication information in the assigneddispatch use profile.

71. The method of embodiment 67, wherein the authenticating stepcomprises a component-to-component secure handshaking between theselected modular mobile autonomy control module and each of the selectedmodular mobility base, the selected modular auxiliary power module, andthe selected modular cargo storage system according to theauthentication information in the assigned dispatch use profile.

72. The method of embodiment 71, wherein the component-to-componentsecure handshaking comprises a challenge and security credentialresponse between the selected modular mobile autonomy control module andeach of the selected modular mobility base, the selected modularauxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargo storage systemaccording to the authentication information in the assigned dispatch useprofile.

73. The method of embodiment 71 further comprising the step oftransmitting a replacement component request message to the assemblyserver by the selected modular mobile autonomy control module, thereplacement component request message indicating that one or more of theselected modular mobility base, the selected modular auxiliary powermodule, and the selected modular cargo storage system are notauthenticated modular components based upon the component-to-componentsecure handshaking between the selected modular mobile autonomy controlmodule and each of the selected modular mobility base, the selectedmodular auxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargo storagesystem.

74. The method of embodiment 73, wherein receipt of the replacementcomponent request message causing the assembly server to initiatereplacement of the one of the selected modular mobility base, theselected modular auxiliary power module, and the selected modular cargostorage system indicated as being not authenticated modular componentsfor the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly according to theauthentication information in the assigned dispatch use profile.

75. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the step of causing,by the assembly server, each of the selected modular mobility base, theselected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargostorage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control moduleto be pulled from a modular bot component storage according to theassigned dispatch use profile.

76. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the step of causing,by the assembly server, each of the selected modular mobility base, theselected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargostorage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control moduleto be selected from a modular bot component storage according to adesired logistics operation identified in the assigned dispatch useprofile.

77. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular cargostorage system from the modular bot component storage is selected basedupon a cargo size characteristic for the desired logistics operation.

78. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular cargostorage system from the modular bot component storage is selected basedupon an organized storage characteristic for the desired logisticsoperation.

79. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular cargostorage system from the modular bot component storage is selected basedupon an environmental storage characteristic for the desired logisticsoperation.

80. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular mobilitybase from the modular bot component storage is selected based upon ananticipated path for the desired logistics operation.

81. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular mobilitybase from the modular bot component storage is selected based upon abase sensor requirement for the desired logistics operation.

82. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular auxiliarypower module from the modular bot component storage is selected basedupon a power requirement for the desired logistics operation.

83. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular auxiliarypower module from the modular bot component storage is selected basedupon an articulated delivery assistance requirement for the desiredlogistics operation.

84. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the selected modular mobileautonomy control module from the modular bot component storage isselected based upon an autonomy module sensor requirement for thedesired logistics operation.

85. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the step of causing,by the assembly server, each of the selected modular mobility base, theselected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargostorage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control moduleto be pulled from a fleet modular bot component storage according to oneof a plurality of licensed fleet use profiles, the one of the licensedfleet use profiles being the assigned dispatch use profile.

86. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the step ofdispensing at least one of the selected modular mobility base, theselected modular auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargostorage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control modulefrom a vending machine.

87. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the step ofdispensing the selected modular cargo storage system to be used as oneof the authorized parts of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyfrom a vending machine maintaining a plurality of different sizedmodular cargo storage systems.

88. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by a vending machine, a selection of at least one of        the selected modular mobility base, the selected modular        auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storage        system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control module,        the selection being received from the assembly server in        response to the request for assembly of the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly, the selection being consistent with the        assigned dispatch use profile identifying the type of each of        the selected modular mobility base, the selected modular        auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo storage        system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control module        to be used as the authorized parts of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly based on the request for assembly; and    -   dispensing the selected one of the modular mobility base, the        selected auxiliary power module, the selected modular cargo        storage system, and the selected modular mobile autonomy control        module from the vending machine.

89. The method of embodiment 67 further comprising the step ofdispensing a detachable module from a vending machine, the detachablemodule for deployment within the selected modular cargo storage systemcomprising one from a group consisting of a detachable climate controlmodule, a detachable sensor pod, and a detachable separator.

90. The method of embodiment 89, wherein the detachable climate controlmodule dispensed from the vending machine comprises one of a pluralityof types of detachable climate control modules available for dispensingfrom the vending machine, wherein each of the different types ofdetachable climate control modules has a different environmental controlrange.

91. The method of embodiment 89, wherein the detachable sensor poddispensed from the vending machine comprises one of a plurality of typesof detachable sensor pods available for dispensing from the vendingmachine, wherein each of the different types of detachable sensor podshaving a different characteristic type of sensor.

Further Embodiment G—Methods of Performing a Dispatched LogisticsOperation Related to an Item Being Shipped and Using a ModularAutonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a Dispatch Server

1. A method of performing a dispatched logistics operation related to anitem being shipped and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyand a dispatch server, the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyhaving at least a modular mobility base propelling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power moduleproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, amodular cargo storage system configured to temporarily maintain the itembeing shipped within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, anda modular mobile autonomy control module that autonomously controlsoperation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command        including at least destination information and authentication        information related to a dispatched logistics operation;    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and        the modular cargo storage system are compatible with the        dispatched logistics operation;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item being        shipped;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from an origin        location on a route to a destination location identified by the        destination information;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly, the delivery recipient authentication input        correlating to a portion of the authentication information        related to the dispatched logistics operation indicating the        delivery recipient that provided the delivery recipient        authentication input is an authorized delivery recipient for the        item being shipped within the module cargo storage system;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the item being shipped within the modular cargo storage        system after the delivery recipient authentication input        received correlates to the portion of the authentication        information indicating the delivery recipient providing the        delivery recipient authentication input is the authorized        delivery recipient; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location on a return route to the origin location after the item        being shipped is detected to be removed from within the modular        cargo storage system.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location on the routeto the destination location identified by the destination informationcomprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the modular mobility base to move from the origin location tothe destination location while avoiding a collision with an obstacle ina path on the route to the destination location using a plurality ofsensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and themodular mobile autonomy control module.

3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location on the routeto the destination location identified by the destination informationcomprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the modular mobility base to move from the origin location tothe destination location while interacting with a wireless buildingfacility node to actuate a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on theroute to the destination location.

4. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the pathway obstacle comprises anactuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

5. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the pathway obstacle comprises anactuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

6. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the pathway obstacle comprises anactuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

7. The method of embodiment 3, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location on the routeto the destination location identified by the destination informationcomprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the modular mobility base to move from the original location tothe destination location while engaging a pathway obstacle disposed in apath on the route to the destination location using an articulating armdisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using aplurality of sensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobilitybase and the modular mobile autonomy control module.

9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the pathway obstacle comprises amanually actuated door.

10. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the pathway obstacle comprises amanually actuated elevator.

11. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the pathway obstacle comprises amanually actuated lock.

12. The method of embodiment 8, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation includes logisticalconstraint information on the dispatched logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of authenticating, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, that each of the modular mobility base,        the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo        storage system are compatible with the dispatched logistics        operation is based at least upon a comparison of each of the        modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and        the modular cargo storage system to the logistical constraint        information on the dispatched logistics operation.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

18. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

20. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

22. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched logistics operation.

23. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated cargo door disposed on the modular auxiliarypower module to an open position, where the actuated cargo door providesa seal to a payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargodoor provides access to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in the open position.

24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

25. The method of embodiment 23, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

26. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to move the item being shipped into a payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system.

27. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to grab and move the item being shipped into a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system as part of receiving theitem being shipped.

28. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated belt surface disposed on the modularauxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposed within apayload area inside the modular cargo storage system, the actuated beltsurface being operative when actuated to cause the item being shipped asplaced on the actuated belt surface to move within the payload area aspart of receiving the item being shipped.

29. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the item being shipped comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated cargo door disposed on themodular auxiliary power module to an open position once the deliveryrecipient authentication input correlates to a portion of theauthentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation, wherein the actuated cargo door provides a seal to a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargodoor is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door provides accessto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in the open position.

30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

31. The method of embodiment 29, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

32. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the item being shipped comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to move the item being shipped out from apayload area within the modular cargo storage system.

33. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the item being shipped comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to grab and move the item being shipped outfrom a payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

34. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the item being shipped comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surface disposed on themodular auxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposedwithin a payload area inside the modular cargo storage system, theactuated belt surface being operative when actuated to cause the itembeing shipped as placed on the actuated belt surface to move out fromwithin the payload area.

35. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped further comprises:

-   -   confirming that the item received corresponds to the dispatched        logistics operation based upon a readable identification on the        item received; and    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        confirmation input acknowledging that the item received        corresponds to the dispatched logistics operation based upon the        readable identification on the item received.

36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein the readable identificationcomprises a human readable identification disposed on the item received.

37. The method of embodiment 35, wherein the readable identificationcomprises a machine readable identification disposed on the itemreceived.

38. The method of embodiment 35, wherein the confirmation inputcomprises input received on a user input panel disposed on the modularcargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module.

39. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped further comprises:

-   -   scanning, by a payload monitoring sensor on the modular mobile        autonomy control module, a payload area within the modular cargo        storage system;    -   detecting, by modular mobile autonomy control module, the item        being shipped within the payload area based upon scan data        generated by the payload monitoring sensor; and    -   confirming that the item detected within the payload area        corresponds to the dispatched logistics operation based upon a        machine readable identification on the item received as        indicated by the scan data generated by the payload monitoring        sensor.

40. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising generating a displayalert for the authorized delivery recipient on a display on the modularmobile autonomy control module once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within a threshold notification range of the destinationlocation identified by the destination information.

41. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising generating an audionotification for the authorized delivery recipient on a speaker on themodular mobile autonomy control module once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information.

42. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising transmitting adelivery notification message to an external wireless node identified tobe related to the delivery recipient once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information.

43. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

44. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

45. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

46. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location comprises astorage location on a predetermined floor of a multi-level facilitywhere the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is maintained untildispatched for the dispatched logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the destination location is located on another floor of        the multi-level facility.

47. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location comprises amulti-component storage location on a predetermined floor of amulti-level facility where each of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system, andthe modular mobile autonomy control module used as part of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is maintained in an unassembled formuntil on-demand assembly of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly occurs in response to the dispatch command from the dispatchserver; and

-   -   wherein the destination location is located on another floor of        the multi-level facility.

48. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location comprises amulti-component storage location on a predetermined floor of amulti-level facility where each of the modular mobility base, themodular auxiliary power module, the modular cargo storage system, andthe modular mobile autonomy control module are leased components used aspart of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and where each ofthe leased components is maintained until dispatched as part of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly for the dispatched logisticsoperation; and

-   -   wherein the destination location is located on another floor of        the multi-level facility.

49. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location for thedispatched logistics operation comprises a bot storage location wherethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is initially maintainedand wherein the destination information defines an intermediate loadinglocation defined as part of the destination information;

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the item being shipped comprises        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot            storage location to the intermediate loading location, and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item            being shipped at the intermediate loading location; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the origin location on the route to the        destination location identified by the destination information        comprises causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location on an intermediate delivery route to the        destination location identified by the destination information;        and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the item being shipped is detected        to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system        comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the modular mobility base to move from the        destination location on the return route to the bot storage        location after the item being shipped is detected to be removed        from within the modular cargo storage system.

50. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the bot storage locationto the intermediate loading location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the bot storage location to the intermediate loading locationafter receipt of a confirmation message from the dispatch server, theconfirmation message verifying the intermediate loading location asprovided by a sender of the item being shipped.

51. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises location coordinates.

52. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises an identified location relative to an office mapping.

53. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a location of an external wireless node disposedoutside of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and related toa sender of the item being shipped.

54. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a location of a master node disposed as part of afacility.

55. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a lobby location of a multi-floor facility.

56. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is temporarily disposed at the lobby of themulti-floor facility as a hold-at-location logistics receptacle toreceive the item being shipped before autonomously moving to thedestination location with the item being shipped.

57. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the dispatch command from thedispatch server is initiated by a hotel customer request received by thedispatch server for delivery of the item being shipped;

-   -   wherein the bot storage location comprises a storage facility        within a hotel building;    -   wherein the intermediate loading location defined as part of the        destination information for the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly comprises a location within the hotel designated by the        delivery recipient sending the hotel customer request; and    -   further comprising the step of notifying the delivery recipient        of an approaching delivery once the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of        the destination location identified by the destination        information.

58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the location within the hoteldesignated by the delivery recipient sending the hotel customer requestcomprises a designated hotel room within the hotel building.

59. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the location within the hoteldesignated by the delivery recipient sending the hotel customer requestcomprises a designated services area within the hotel building.

60. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the location within the hoteldesignated by the delivery recipient sending the hotel customer requestcomprises a designated conference room within the hotel building.

61. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the location within the hoteldesignated by the delivery recipient sending the hotel customer requestcomprises a location of an external mobile wireless node related to thedelivery recipient.

61. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the dispatch command from thedispatch server is initiated by a hotel customer request received by thedispatch server for intermediate pickup and delivery of the item beingshipped;

-   -   wherein the bot storage location comprises a storage facility        within a hotel building;    -   wherein the intermediate loading location defined as part of the        destination information for the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly comprises a location within the hotel designated by the        delivery recipient sending the hotel customer request; and    -   further comprising the step of notifying the delivery recipient        of an approaching delivery once the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of        the destination location identified by the destination        information.

63. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location for thedispatched logistics operation comprises a bot storage location within ahotel building where the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initiallymaintained;

-   -   wherein the destination information comprises an intermediate        loading location and a drop-off location;    -   wherein the step of receiving the item being shipped comprises        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot            storage location to the intermediate loading location,        -   notifying the delivery recipient of an approaching pickup            once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within            a threshold notification range of the intermediate loading            location identified by the destination information, and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item            being shipped at the intermediate locating location; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the origin location on the route to the        destination location identified by the destination information        comprises causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location on an intermediate delivery route to the        drop-off location identified by the destination information as        the destination location; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the item being shipped is detected        to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system        comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the modular mobility base to move from the        drop-off location on the return route to the bot storage        location after the item being shipped is detected to be removed        from within the modular cargo storage system.

64. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the intermediate loading location on theintermediate delivery route to the drop-off location identified by thedestination information as the destination location comprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location on the intermediate delivery route to the        drop-off location and holding at the drop-off location as a        first holding location identified as part of the destination        information, and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the first holding        location to a secondary drop-off location identified as the        location of an external mobile wireless node related to the        delivery recipient.

65. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the first holding location to a secondarydrop-off location identified as the location of an external mobilewireless node related to the delivery recipient comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        advertising signal from the external mobile wireless node        related to the delivery recipient;    -   establishing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        authorized secure association between the modular mobile        autonomy control module and the external mobile wireless node        based upon the authentication information related to the        dispatched logistics operation; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the first holding        location to the secondary drop-off location after establishing        the authorized secure association.

66. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the drop-off location on the return route tothe bot storage location after the item being shipped is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system comprisesautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the secondary drop-off location tothe bot storage location after the item being shipped is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system at the secondarydrop-off location.

67. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location for thedispatched logistics operation comprises a bot storage location within ahotel building where the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initiallymaintained;

-   -   wherein the destination information comprises an intermediate        loading location and a drop-off location;    -   wherein the step of receiving the item being shipped comprises        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot            storage location to the intermediate loading location,        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal from an external mobile wireless node            related to the delivery recipient;        -   establishing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            an authorized secure association between the modular mobile            autonomy control module and the external mobile wireless            node based upon the authentication information related to            the dispatched logistics operation, the established            authorized secure association authenticating the delivery            recipient related to the external mobile wireless node;        -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            an impending pickup message to the external mobile wireless            node about an approaching pickup of the item being shipped            once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has            established the authorized secure association between the            modular mobile autonomy control module and the external            mobile wireless node; and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item            being shipped at the intermediate locating location;    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the origin location on the route to the        destination location identified by the destination information        comprises causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base move from the intermediate        loading location towards the external mobile wireless node in a        following mode as the external mobile wireless node moves        towards the drop-off location; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the item being shipped is detected        to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system        comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the modular mobility base to move from the        drop-off location to the bot storage location after the item        being shipped is detected to be removed from within the modular        cargo storage system at the drop-off location.

68. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the modular mobility basecomprises a master mobility base, a slave mobility base, and an extendedbase adapter plate coupled to each of the master mobility base and theslave mobility base to support the item being shipped, each of themaster mobility base and the slave mobility base being responsive tocontrol input from the modular mobile autonomy control module to causecoordinated movement of the modular mobility base.

69. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location for thedispatched logistics operation comprises a centralized bot storagelocation within a warehouse where the modular autonomous bot apparatusis initially maintained;

-   -   wherein the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server is        initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch        server, the dispatch request being sent from an authorized        maintenance person related to the dispatched logistics        operation, the dispatch command including identifier information        of an external mobile wireless node operated by the authorized        maintenance person; and    -   wherein the destination information comprises a mobile node        location of the external mobile wireless node operated by the        authorized maintenance person.

70. The method of embodiment 69, wherein the step of receiving thedelivery recipient authentication input comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        advertising signal from the external mobile wireless node as the        delivery recipient authentication input as the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly approaches the mobile node        location of the external mobile wireless node; and    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that the external mobile wireless node is associated with the        authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped within        the modular cargo storage system based upon (a) the identifier        information of the external mobile wireless node from the        dispatch command and (b) identifier information within the        detected advertising signal broadcast from the external mobile        wireless node.

71. The method of embodiment 69, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

72. The method of embodiment 69, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

73. The method of embodiment 69, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

74. The method of embodiment 69, wherein the modular mobility basecompatible with the dispatched logistics operation comprises a mastermobility base, a slave mobility base, and an extended base adapter platecoupled to each of the master mobility base and the slave mobility baseto support the item being shipped, each of the master mobility base andthe slave mobility base being responsive to control input from themodular mobile autonomy control module to cause coordinated movement ofthe modular mobility base.

75. The method of embodiment 69, wherein the modular cargo storagesystem compatible with the dispatched logistics operation comprises oneof a plurality of different sized modular cargo storage systems, the oneof the different sized modular cargo storage systems being compatiblewith a size parameter for the item being shipped as part of thedispatched logistics operation.

76. The method of embodiment 75, wherein the modular mobile autonomycontrol module compatible with the dispatched logistics operationcomprises one of a plurality of different sized modular mobile autonomycontrol modules, the one of the different sized modular mobile autonomycontrol module being compatible with the one of the different sizedmodular cargo storage systems compatible with the size parameter for theitem being shipped as part of the dispatched logistics operation.

77. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the bot storage location forthe dispatched logistics operation comprises a centralized bot storagelocation within a hospital where the modular autonomous bot apparatus isinitially maintained;

-   -   wherein the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server is        initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch        server, the dispatch request being sent from an authorized        hospital staff related to the dispatched logistics operation,        the dispatch command including identifier information of an        external mobile wireless node operated by the authorized        hospital staff; and    -   wherein the intermediate loading location comprises a medical        supply storage.

78. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the medical supply storagecomprises a pharmaceutical supply storage and the item being shippedcomprises a prescribed medicine according to the dispatched logisticsoperation.

79. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the destination locationcomprises a predetermined location within the hospital for a patientcurrently located within the hospital.

80. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the destination informationcomprises a mobile node location of the external mobile wireless nodeoperated by the authorized hospital staff.

81. The method of embodiment 77, further comprising the step of storing,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the delivery recipientauthentication input as chain of custody information for the item beingshipped.

82. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the bot storage location forthe dispatched logistics operation comprises a centralized bot storagelocation within a hospital where the modular autonomous bot apparatus isinitially maintained;

-   -   wherein the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server is        initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch        server, the dispatch request being sent from an authorized        hospital staff related to the dispatched logistics operation;    -   wherein the intermediate loading location comprises a hospital        meal supply location;    -   wherein the modular cargo storage system having a segmented and        insulated payload area for transporting a plurality of meals as        the item being shipped, the modular cargo storage system further        having a detachable climate control module responsive to climate        control input from the modular mobile autonomy control module to        maintain a desired environment within the modular cargo storage        system.

83. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the bot storage location forthe dispatched logistics operation comprises a centralized bot storagelocation within a hospital where the modular autonomous bot apparatus isinitially maintained;

-   -   wherein the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server is        initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch        server, the dispatch request being sent from an authorized        hospital staff related to the dispatched logistics operation;    -   wherein the intermediate loading location comprises a biohazard        material repository location;    -   wherein the destination location comprises a biohazard material        disposal location.

84. The method of embodiment 77, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        wireless hospital alarm signal during the dispatched logistics        operation; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to interrupt movement and        position the modular mobility base in a predetermined        unobstructive position within a current environment of the        modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

85. The method of embodiment 84, wherein the predetermined unobstructiveposition within the current environment of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly comprises a position against a wall within thecurrent environment of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly assensed by one or more sensors on the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

86. The method of embodiment 85, wherein the predetermined unobstructiveposition within the current environment of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly comprises a position within the current environmentof the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and sensed by themodular mobile autonomy control module to be unoccupied relative tomovement sensed within the current environment of the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly.

87. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the modular mobility basecompatible with the dispatched logistics operation comprises a mastermobility base, a slave mobility base, and an extended base adapter platecoupled to each of the master mobility base and the slave mobility baseto support the item being shipped, each of the master mobility base andthe slave mobility base being responsive to control input from themodular mobile autonomy control module to cause coordinated movement ofthe modular mobility base.

88. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the modular cargo storagesystem compatible with the dispatched logistics operation within thehospital comprises one of a plurality of different sized modular cargostorage systems, the one of the different sized modular cargo storagesystems being compatible with a size parameter for the item beingshipped as part of the dispatched logistics operation within thehospital.

89. The method of embodiment 88, wherein the modular mobile autonomycontrol module compatible with the dispatched logistics operation withinthe hospital comprises one of a plurality of different sized modularmobile autonomy control modules, the one of the different sized modularmobile autonomy control module being compatible with the one of thedifferent sized modular cargo storage systems compatible with the sizeparameter for the item being shipped as part of the dispatched logisticsoperation within the hospital.

90. The method of embodiment 77, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, warninginformation on a display disposed on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, wherein the warning information being related to the item beingshipped within the modular cargo storage system as part of thedispatched logistics operation within the hospital.

91. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the warning informationcomprising a biohazard warning related to the item being shipped withinthe modular cargo storage system as part of the dispatched logisticsoperation within the hospital.

92. The method of embodiment 77, wherein the warning informationcomprising medical administration information related to medicationbeing shipped within the modular cargo storage system as the item beingshipped for the dispatched logistics operation within the hospital.

93. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the dispatch command sent by thedispatch server is initiated based upon a dispatch request received bythe dispatch server, the dispatch request being sent from a sendingentity related to the dispatched logistics operation, the dispatchcommand including sender identifier information of an external mobilewireless node operated by the sending entity and delivery recipientidentifier information related to a delivery recipient for the itembeing shipped;

-   -   wherein the origin location for the dispatched logistics        operation comprises a bot storage location where the modular        autonomous bot apparatus is initially maintained and wherein the        destination information defines an intermediate loading location        defined as part of the destination information;    -   wherein the step of receiving the item being shipped comprises        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot            storage location to the intermediate loading location,        -   receiving sending entity authentication input by the modular            mobile autonomy control module from the sending entity, the            sending entity authentication input correlating to a portion            of the authentication information related to the dispatched            logistics operation indicating the sending entity that            provided the sending entity authentication input is an            authorized provider for the item being shipped within the            module cargo storage system as part of the dispatched            logistics operation,        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system after the            sending entity authentication input received correlates to            the portion of the authentication information indicating the            sending entity providing the sending entity authentication            input is the authorized provider for the item being shipped,        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item            being shipped at the intermediate locating location, and        -   securing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the            item being shipped within the modular cargo storage system;    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the origin location on the route to the        destination location identified by the destination information        comprises causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location on an intermediate delivery route to the        destination location identified by the destination information;        and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the item being shipped is detected        to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system        comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the modular mobility base to move from the        destination location on the return route to the bot storage        location after the item being shipped is detected to be removed        from within the modular cargo storage system.

94. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the item being shippedcomprises one or more documents to be transported within the modularcargo storage system.

95. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a mobile node location of the external mobilewireless node operated by the sending entity.

96. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the destination locationcomprises a mobile node location of an external mobile wireless nodeoperated by the delivery recipient.

97. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the step of receiving thesending entity authentication input comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        advertising signal from the external mobile wireless node        operated by the sending entity as the sending entity        authentication input as the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly approaches the mobile node location of the external        mobile wireless node operated by the sending entity; and    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that the external mobile wireless node operated by the sending        entity is associated with the sending entity for the item being        shipped within the modular cargo storage system based upon (a)        the identifier information of the external mobile wireless node        operated by the sending entity from the dispatch command and (b)        identifier information within the detected advertising signal.

98. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the sending entityauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the sending entity through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

99. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the sending entityauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the sending entity throughthe user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storage system andoperatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

100. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the sending entityauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the sending entitythrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

101. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the step of receiving thedelivery recipient authentication input comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        advertising signal from an external mobile wireless node        operated by the delivery recipient as the delivery recipient        authentication input as the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly approaches the mobile node location of the external        mobile wireless node operated by the delivery recipient; and    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that the external mobile wireless node operated by the delivery        recipient is associated with the delivery recipient for the item        being shipped within the modular cargo storage system based        upon (a) the delivery recipient identifier information from the        dispatch command and (b) identifier information of the external        mobile wireless node operated by the delivery recipient within        the detected advertising signal.

102. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

103. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

104. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

105. The method of embodiment 93, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a pickupnotification to the sending entity of an approaching pickup as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of theintermediate loading location identified by the destination information.

106. The method of embodiment 93, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a departurenotification to the delivery recipient of an estimated drop-off as partof the dispatched logistics operation once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly moves a threshold departure distance from theintermediate loading location.

107. The method of embodiment 106, wherein the departure notificationincludes an estimated time of arrival for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly to arrive at the destination location from a currentlocation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

108. The method of embodiment 93, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a drop-offnotification to the delivery recipient of an approaching drop-off aspart of the dispatched logistics operation once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of thedestination location identified by the destination information.

109. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationon the return route to the bot storage location after the item beingshipped is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem comprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location back to the intermediate loading location after the        item being shipped is detected to be removed from within the        modular cargo storage system at the destination location and an        additional item is detected to be placed within the modular        cargo storage system at the destination location; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location to the bot storage location after the        additional item is detected to be removed from within the        modular cargo storage system at the intermediate loading        location.

110. The method of embodiment 109, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving secondary sending entity authentication input by the        modular mobile autonomy control module from the sending entity        while at the intermediate loading location after the modular        mobility base returns to the intermediate loading location, the        secondary sending entity authentication input correlating to the        portion of the authentication information related to the        dispatched logistics operation indicating the sending entity        that provided the secondary sending entity authentication input        is the authorized provider for the item being shipped within the        module cargo storage system as part of the dispatched logistics        operation; and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to within the modular cargo storage system for removal of the        additional item after the secondary sending entity        authentication input received correlates to the portion of the        authentication information indicating the sending entity        providing the secondary sending entity authentication input is        the authorized provider for the item being shipped.

111. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationon the return route to the bot storage location after the item beingshipped is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem comprises:

autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the destination location to asecondary delivery location after the item being shipped is detected tobe removed from within the modular cargo storage system at thedestination location and after an additional item is detected within themodular cargo storage system while at the destination location, thesecondary delivery location being identified as part of the destinationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation; and

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the secondary        delivery location to the bot storage location after the        additional item is detected to be removed from within the        modular cargo storage system at the secondary delivery location.

112. The method of embodiment 111, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving third party entity authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a third party entity while        at the secondary delivery location after the modular mobility        base arrives at the secondary delivery location, the third party        entity authentication input correlating to a portion of the        authentication information related to the dispatched logistics        operation indicating the third party entity that provided the        third party entity authentication input is an authorized third        party recipient for the additional item within the module cargo        storage system as part of the dispatched logistics operation;        and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to within the modular cargo storage system for removal of the        additional item after the third party entity authentication        input received correlates to the portion of the authentication        information indicating the third party entity providing the        third party entity authentication input is the authorized third        party recipient for the additional item.

113. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the item being shippedcomprises at least one of a plurality of components of a medical kitused for a medical procedure, the at least one of the components of themedical kit being unused as part of the medical procedure and incondition for use in a second medical procedure;

-   -   wherein the origin location for the dispatched logistics        operation comprises a bot storage location where the modular        autonomous bot apparatus is initially maintained and wherein the        destination information defines an intermediate return loading        location defined as part of the destination information;    -   wherein the destination location for the dispatched logistics        operation comprises a centralized return location for one or        more of the components of the medical kit;    -   wherein the step of receiving the item being shipped comprises        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot            storage location to the intermediate return loading            location,        -   receiving returning entity medical personnel authentication            input by the modular mobile autonomy control module from            returning entity medical personnel related to the dispatched            logistics operation, the returning entity medical personnel            authentication input correlating to a portion of the            authentication information related to the dispatched            logistics operation indicating the returning entity medical            personnel that provided the returning entity medical            personnel authentication input is an authorized return            supplier for the item being shipped within the module cargo            storage system as part of the dispatched logistics            operation,        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system after the            returning entity medical personnel authentication input            received correlates to the portion of the authentication            information indicating the returning entity medical            personnel providing the returning entity medical personnel            authentication input is the authorized return supplier for            the item being shipped,        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item            being shipped at the intermediate locating location, and        -   securing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the            item being shipped within the modular cargo storage system;    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the origin location on the route to the        destination location identified by the destination information        comprises causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location on an intermediate delivery route to the        destination location identified by the destination information;        and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the item being shipped is detected        to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system        comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the modular mobility base to move from the        destination location on the return route to the bot storage        location after the item being shipped is detected to be removed        from within the modular cargo storage system.

114. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a mobile node location of an external mobile wirelessnode operated by the returning entity medical personnel.

115. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the step of receiving thereturning entity medical personnel authentication input comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        advertising signal from the external mobile wireless node        operated by the returning entity medical personnel as the        returning entity medical personnel authentication input when the        modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly approaches the mobile        node location of the external mobile wireless node operated by        the returning entity medical personnel; and    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that the external mobile wireless node operated by the returning        entity medical personnel is associated with the returning entity        medical personnel for the item being shipped within the modular        cargo storage system based upon (a) the identifier information        of the external mobile wireless node operated by the returning        entity medical personnel from the dispatch command and (b)        identifier information within the detected advertising signal.

116. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the returning entity medicalpersonnel authentication input received by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module is provided by the returning entity medical personnelthrough a user input panel disposed on the modular autonomous botapparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

117. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the returning entity medicalpersonnel authentication input received by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module comprises an access code provided by the returning entitymedical personnel through the user input panel disposed on the modularcargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module.

118. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the returning entity medicalpersonnel authentication input received by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module comprises a biometric input provided by the returningentity medical personnel through the user input panel disposed on themodular cargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

119. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the step of receiving thedelivery recipient authentication input comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        advertising signal from an external mobile wireless node        operated by a centralized return location recipient as the        delivery recipient authentication input as the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly approaches the mobile node        location of the external mobile wireless node operated by the        centralized return location recipient; and    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that the external mobile wireless node operated by the        centralized return location recipient is associated with the        centralized return location recipient for the item being shipped        within the modular cargo storage system based upon (a) the        delivery recipient identifier information from the dispatch        command and (b) identifier information of the external mobile        wireless node operated by the centralized return location        recipient within the detected advertising signal.

120. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the centralized return location recipient througha user input panel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatuscoupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

121. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the centralized returnlocation recipient through the user input panel disposed on the modularcargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module.

122. The method of embodiment 113, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the centralized returnlocation recipient through the user input panel disposed on the modularcargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module.

123. The method of embodiment 113, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a pickupnotification to the returning entity medical personnel of an approachingpickup as part of the dispatched logistics operation once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notificationrange of the intermediate loading location identified by the destinationinformation.

124. The method of embodiment 113, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a departurenotification to a centralized return location recipient of an estimateddrop-off as part of the dispatched logistics operation once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly moves a threshold departure distancefrom the intermediate loading location.

125. The method of embodiment 124, wherein the departure notificationincludes an estimated time of arrival for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly to arrive at the destination location from a currentlocation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

126. The method of embodiment 113, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a drop-offnotification to the centralized return location recipient of anapproaching drop-off as part of the dispatched logistics operation oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the destination location identified by thedestination information.

127. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationon the return route to the bot storage location after the item beingshipped is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem comprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location back to the intermediate loading location after the        item being shipped is detected to be removed from within the        modular cargo storage system at the destination location and an        additional item is detected to have been placed within the        modular cargo storage system at the destination location; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location to the bot storage location after the        additional item is detected to be removed from within the        modular cargo storage system at the intermediate loading        location.

128. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the additional item comprisesa replacement medical kit.

129. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the additional item comprisesa second medical kit for a different type of medical procedure.

130. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the item being shippedcomprises a plurality of documents collected for secure shredding;

-   -   wherein the destination location comprises a centralized shred        pickup facility; and    -   wherein the intermediate loading location comprises a location        of a container maintaining the documents collected for secure        shredding.

131. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the item being shippedfurther comprises a container securely maintaining the plurality ofdocuments collected for secure shredding.

132. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises an identified location relative to an office mappingof the container maintaining the documents collected for secureshredding.

133. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a location of an external wireless node disposedoutside of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the externalwireless node being a part of the container maintaining the documentscollected for secure shredding.

134. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the intermediate loadinglocation comprises a mobile location of the external wireless node thatis part of a mobile container maintaining the documents collected forsecure shredding.

135. The method of embodiment 130, where the step of receiving the itembeing shipped comprises:

-   -   receiving pickup authentication input by the modular mobile        autonomy control module from a document supplier through a user        input panel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus        coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module; and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to within the modular cargo storage system for loading of the        item being shipped after the pickup authentication input        received correlates to a portion of the authentication        information related to an authorized document supplier.

136. The method of embodiment 135, wherein the pickup recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the document supplierthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

137. The method of embodiment 135, wherein the pickup recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the document supplierthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

138. The method of embodiment 135, wherein the step of receiving thepickup recipient authentication input comprises:

-   -   receiving pickup authentication input by the modular mobile        autonomy control module by detecting an advertising signal from        the external wireless node that is part of the container        maintaining the documents collected for secure shredding and        verifying the detected advertising signal includes identifier        information that correlates to a portion of the authentication        information related to an authorized document supplier for the        container; and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to within the modular cargo storage system for loading of the        item being shipped after the pickup authentication input        received correlates to the portion of the authentication        information related to the authorized document supplier.

139. The method of embodiment 130, where the delivery receiptauthentication input comprises information received through a user inputpanel disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to themodular mobile autonomy control module.

140. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input comprises an access code provided by the deliveryrecipient through the user input panel disposed on the modular cargostorage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomycontrol module.

141. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the pickup recipientauthentication input comprises a biometric input provided by thedelivery recipient through the user input panel disposed on the modularcargo storage system and operatively coupled to the modular mobileautonomy control module.

142. The method of embodiment 133, wherein the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation includes anidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the item beingshipped as part of the dispatched logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node related to the            destination location within a predetermined range of the            modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at the            destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node related to the            destination location is associated with the authorized            delivery recipient for the item being shipped within the            modular cargo storage system based upon the identifier of            the authorized delivery recipient and identifier information            within the detected advertising signal broadcast from the            external wireless node related to the destination location.

143. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises deploying an articulating arm disposed onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofproximity and vision sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to engagethe item being shipped and placing the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system.

144. The method of embodiment 130, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to the item being shipped using one or more of        the proximity and vision sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the item being shipped; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the item being shipped to a        position within the modular cargo storage system.

145. The method of embodiment 133, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a closable access point on the container        using one or more of the proximity and vision sensors disposed        on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modular        mobile autonomy control module;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the closable access point on        the container to enabled access to within the container;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the documents collected for        secure shredding; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the documents collected for        secure shredding to a position within the modular cargo storage        system.

146. The method of embodiment 133, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises deploying an articulating arm disposed onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofproximity and vision sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to engagethe container and place the container within the modular cargo storagesystem.

147. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the item being shippedcomprises a plurality of documents collected for secure shredding;

-   -   wherein the destination location comprises a centralized shred        pickup facility;    -   wherein the origin location for the dispatched logistics        operation comprises a bot storage location where the modular        autonomous bot apparatus is initially maintained and wherein the        destination information defines a plurality of intermediate        loading locations defined as part of the destination        information;    -   wherein the step of receiving the item being shipped comprises:        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot            storage location to a first of the intermediate loading            locations,        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, a first            portion of the item being shipped at first of the            intermediate locating locations,        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the first            intermediate loading location to a second of the            intermediate loading locations,        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, a second            portion of the item being shipped at first of the            intermediate locating locations; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the origin location on the route to the        destination location identified by the destination information        comprises causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the second of the        intermediate loading locations to the destination location        identified by the destination information; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the item being shipped is detected        to be removed from within the modular cargo storage system        comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the modular mobility base to move from the        destination location on the return route to the bot storage        location after each of at least the first portion of the item        being shipped and the second portion of the item being shipped        are detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage        system.

148. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location comprisesan extended hour centralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescriptionsupplies where the modular autonomous bot apparatus is initiallymaintained;

-   -   wherein the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server is        initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch        server, the dispatch request being sent from an authorized        pharmaceutical personnel at a remote pharmaceutical outlet        served by the extended hour centralized base depot for        pharmaceutical prescription supplies, the dispatch command being        related to the dispatched logistics operation, the dispatch        command including identifier information of an external mobile        wireless node operated by the authorized pharmaceutical        personnel; and    -   wherein the destination location identified by the destination        information comprising a location of the remote pharmaceutical        outlet.

149. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the destination informationcomprises a mobile node location of an external mobile wireless nodeoperated by the authorized pharmaceutical person.

150. The method of embodiment 148, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a firstinventory data structure corresponding to the item being shipped uponreceiving the item being shipped, wherein the first inventory datastructure including a first chain of custody entry reflecting departurefrom the extended hour centralized base depot for pharmaceuticalprescription supplies for the item being shipped in the custody of themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

151. The method of embodiment 150, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a secondchain of custody entry within the first inventory data structure afterarrival at the remote pharmaceutical outlet, the second chain of custodyreflecting arrival from the extended hour centralized base depot forpharmaceutical prescription supplies for the item being shipped to theremote pharmaceutical outlet in the custody of the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly.

152. The method of embodiment 151, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a third chainof custody entry within the first inventory data structure after arrivalat the remote pharmaceutical outlet and after detecting the item beingshipped has been removed from within the modular cargo storage system,the third chain of custody reflecting the item being shipped changingcustody to the remote pharmaceutical outlet from the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly.

153. The method of embodiment 152, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the destination location on a return route tothe origin location after the item being shipped is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system comprises:

-   -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        unloading status of the modular cargo storage system using at        least one sensor on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy        control module and the modular cargo storage system;    -   detecting when the item being shipped is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data from the at        least one sensor; and    -   generating the third chain of custody entry within the first        inventory data structure when the sensor data reflects the item        being shipped is no longer within the modular cargo storage        system.

154. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the dispatch command sent bythe dispatch server comprises one of a plurality of dispatch commandsfor different dispatched logistics operations from the extended hourcentralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescription supplies to theremote pharmaceutical outlet, the dispatch commands being sent on apredetermined schedule for the remote pharmaceutical outlet.

155. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the dispatch command sent bythe dispatch server comprises one of a plurality of dispatch commandsfor different dispatched logistics operations from the extended hourcentralized base depot for pharmaceutical prescription supplies to aplurality of serviced remote pharmaceutical outlets, where the remotepharmaceutical outlet is one of the serviced remote pharmaceuticaloutlets by the extended hour centralized base depot for pharmaceuticalprescription supplies.

156. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the authenticationinformation related to the dispatched logistics operation comprisesmulti-level authentication information.

157. The method of embodiment 156, wherein the multi-levelauthentication information comprises at least (a) passcodeauthentication information and (b) identifier information of an externalmobile wireless node operated by the authorized delivery recipient.

158. The method of embodiment 156, wherein the multi-levelauthentication information comprises at least (a) a first passcodeauthentication information related to a first communication path withthe delivery recipient and (b) a second passcode authenticationinformation related to a second communication path with the deliveryrecipient, wherein the first communication path being distinct from thesecond communication path.

159. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the multi-levelauthentication information comprises at least two from the groupconsisting of passcode authentication information, biometric scanningauthentication information, device signature authentication information,and voice authentication information.

160. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the origin location comprisesa location of a business entity for delivery services where the modularautonomous bot apparatus is initially maintained;

-   -   wherein the dispatch command sent by the dispatch server is        initiated based upon a dispatch request received by the dispatch        server, the dispatch request being sent from the delivery        recipient;    -   further comprising the step of determining, by the dispatch        server, if the dispatched logistics operation related to the        dispatch request is a fulfillable type of dispatch logistics        operation for the business entity for delivery services based        upon a plurality of fulfillment requirements for the dispatched        logistics operation related to the dispatch request, the        determining step being performed prior to the authenticating        step;    -   wherein the step of authenticating, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, that each of the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modular        auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system are        compatible with the dispatched logistics operation comprises        verifying, by the modular autonomy control module, whether each        of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the fulfillment        requirements for the dispatched logistics operation related to        the dispatch request prior to moving from the origin location;        and    -   further comprising the steps of:        -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a            supplier of the item being shipped of (a) an approaching            pickup at the intermediate loading location and (b) an            estimated time of arrival at the intermediate loading            location before arriving at the intermediate loading            location;        -   receiving supplier authentication input by the modular            mobile autonomy control module from the supplier disposed            external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at            the intermediate loading location before receiving the item            being shipped, the supplier authentication input correlating            to a portion of the authentication information related to            the dispatched logistics operation indicating the supplier            that provided the supplier authentication input is an            authorized supplier for the item being shipped related to            the dispatched logistics operation; and        -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            the delivery recipient of an approaching delivery after            receiving the item being shipped at the intermediate loading            location and notifying the delivery recipient of an            estimated time of arrival at the destination location.

161. The method of embodiment 160, wherein the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly comprises one of a plurality of leased modularautonomous bot apparatus assemblies to the business entity at the originlocation.

162. The method of embodiment 160, wherein the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly comprises a modular assembly of leased modularautonomous bot apparatus components under lease by the business entityat the origin location.

163. The method of embodiment 160, wherein at least one of thefulfillment requirements comprises a location parameter, the locationparameter including the origin location and the destination location.

164. The method of embodiment 160, wherein at least one of thefulfillment requirements comprises a timing parameter for conducting thedispatched logistics operation relate to the dispatch request.

165. The method of embodiment 160, wherein at least one of thefulfillment requirements comprises a payload parameter for transportingthe item being shipped as part of the dispatched logistics operationrelate to the dispatch request.

166. The method of embodiment 160, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped at the intermediate loading location comprises:

-   -   generating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        loading assistance prompt message on a display disposed on the        modular mobile autonomy control module, wherein the loading        assistance prompt message providing information on the item        being shipped to be provided by the supplier and instructions        for placing the item being shipped within the modular cargo        storage system as part of the dispatched logistics operation.

167. The method of embodiment 160, wherein the step of notifying, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the delivery recipient of anapproaching delivery after receiving the item being shipped at theintermediate loading location and notifying the delivery recipient of anestimated time of arrival at the destination location is performed afterreceiving the item being shipped at the intermediate loading locationand before the modular mobility based moves from the intermediateloading location.

168. The method of embodiment 160, wherein the step of notifying, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the delivery recipient of anapproaching delivery after receiving the item being shipped at theintermediate loading location and notifying the delivery recipient of anestimated time of arrival at the destination location is performed oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a thresholdnotification range of the destination location identified by thedestination information.

169. The method of embodiment 160, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        delivery change notification in response to notifying the        delivery recipient of the approaching delivery at the        destination location; and    -   altering, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        intermediate delivery route according to the delivery change        notification, the altering of the intermediate delivery route        resulting in a modified delivery for the item being shipped        according to the delivery change notification.

170. The method of embodiment 169, wherein the modified deliverycomprises an altered time for delivery at the destination location.

171. The method of embodiment 169, wherein the modified deliverycomprises an altered destination location for delivery of the item beingshipped.

172. The method of embodiment 169, wherein the modified deliverycomprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the modular mobility base to move on a modified return route toa holding location before moving to an altered destination location fordelivery of the item being shipped at an altered time for delivery atthe altered destination location.

173. The method of embodiment 172, wherein the holding locationcomprises the intermediate loading location.

174. The method of embodiment 160, further comprising the step ofverifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an unloadstatus of the item being shipped using one or more sensors on themodular mobile autonomy control module that monitors a payload area ofthe modular cargo storage system.

175. The method of embodiment 174, wherein the unload status reflects anidentifier of the item being shipped that has been removed from withinthe modular cargo storage system.

176. The method of embodiment 160, further comprising the step ofverifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that an objectremoved from within the payload area of the modular cargo storage systemusing the one or more sensors is the item being shipped and authorizedto be removed at the destination location according to the dispatchedlogistics operation.

177. The method of embodiment 176, further comprising a step oftransmitting a warning message by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule to the dispatch server when the object removed from within thepayload area of the modular cargo storage system using the one or moresensors is not the item being shipped and authorized to be removed atthe destination location according to the dispatched logisticsoperation, the warning message indicating an unauthorized unloading ofthe modular cargo storage system and including sensor data from the oneor more sensors.

178. The method of embodiment 176, further comprising a step ofgenerating an audio warning message by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module when the object removed from within the payload area ofthe modular cargo storage system using the one or more sensors is notthe item being shipped and authorized to be removed at the destinationlocation according to the dispatched logistics operation, the audiowarning message indicating an unauthorized unloading of the modularcargo storage system and requesting replacement of the object removed.

179. A method of performing a dispatched pickup logistics operationrelated to an item being shipped and using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and a dispatch server, the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly having at least a modular mobility base propellingthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary powermodule providing power for the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to temporarilymaintain the item being shipped within the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module thatautonomously controls operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module and        from the dispatch server, a dispatch command related to the        dispatched pickup logistics operation, the dispatch command        including at least destination information related to a pickup        location, authentication information related to an authorized        pickup entity, and shipment characteristics of the item being        shipped;    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and        the modular cargo storage system are compatible with the        dispatched pickup logistics operation based upon the shipment        characteristics of the item being shipped as indicated in the        dispatch command;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from an origin        location on a route to the pickup location identified by the        destination information;    -   receiving pickup entity authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a pickup entity disposed        external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly;    -   determining if the pickup entity authentication input correlates        to the authentication information related to the authorized        pickup entity according to the dispatch command;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the item being shipped within the modular cargo storage        system only after the pickup entity authentication input        received correlates to the authentication information related to        the authorized pickup entity according to the dispatch command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item being        shipped; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the pickup        location on a return route to the origin location after the item        being shipped is detected to be received within the modular        cargo storage system.

180. The method of embodiment 179, wherein the dispatch command sent bythe dispatch server is initiated based upon a dispatch request receivedby the dispatch server, the dispatch request being sent by the pickupentity related to the dispatched logistics operation, the dispatchcommand including identifier information of an external mobile wirelessnode operated by the authorized pickup entity as part of theauthentication information.

181. The method of embodiment 180, wherein the pickup location comprisesa mobile location of the external mobile wireless node operated by theauthorized pickup entity.

182. The method of embodiment 179, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises:

-   -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        payload area within the modular cargo storage system using at        least one sensor on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy        control module and the modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the item being shipped is received within the        modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data from the at        least one sensor.

183. The method of embodiment 179, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises:

-   -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        payload area within the modular cargo storage system for a        wireless node associated with the item being shipped; and    -   detecting when the item being shipped is received within the        modular cargo storage system when the wireless node associated        with the item being shipped is determined to be located within        the payload area within the modular cargo storage system based        upon one or more detected signals broadcast by the wireless node        associated with the item being shipped.

184. The method of embodiment 179, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the pickup location on a return route to theorigin location after the item being shipped is detected to be receivedwithin the modular cargo storage system comprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the pickup        location to a secondary pickup location for an additional item        being shipped according to a secondary dispatched logistics        operation identified in a subsequent dispatch commend received        by the modular mobile autonomy control module and from the        dispatch server;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the additional        item being shipped; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the secondary        pickup location to the origin location after the additional item        being shipped is detected to be received within the modular        cargo storage system.

185. The method of embodiment 179, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises deploying an articulating arm disposed onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofproximity and vision sensors disposed on at least one of the modularmobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to engagethe item being shipped and place the item being shipped within themodular cargo storage system.

186. The method of embodiment 179, wherein the step of receiving theitem being shipped comprises:

-   -   deploying an articulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality of proximity and        vision sensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility        base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to engage a        logistics receptacle currently maintaining the item being        shipped;    -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a closable access point on the logistics        receptacle using one or more of the proximity and vision sensors        disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the        modular mobile autonomy control module;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the closable access point on        the container to enabled access to within the logistics        receptacle;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the item being shipped while        maintained within the logistics receptacle; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the item being shipped from        within the logistics receptacle to a position within the modular        cargo storage system.

187. A method of performing a dispatched logistics operation related toan item being shipped and using a modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly and a dispatch server, the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly having at least a modular mobility base propelling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power moduleproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, amodular cargo storage system configured to temporarily maintain the itembeing shipped within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, anda modular mobile autonomy control module that autonomously controlsoperation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command        including at least destination information and authentication        information related to the dispatched logistics operation;    -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that each of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary        power module, and the modular cargo storage system are        compatible with the dispatched logistics operation;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item being        shipped at an origin location;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the origin        location on a route to an object holding location identified by        the destination information;    -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        delivery notification message to an external mobile wireless        node operated by a delivery recipient for the item being        shipped, the delivery notification message being transmitted        when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a        threshold distance from the object holding location identified        by the destination information;    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        responsive final delivery message from the external mobile        wireless node, the responsive final delivery message including        at least a delivery location for the item being shipped;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the object        holding location to the delivery location identified by the        responsive final delivery message from the external mobile        wireless node;    -   receiving authentication input by the modular mobile autonomy        control module from the delivery recipient, the authentication        input correlating to a portion of the authentication information        related to the dispatched logistics operation indicating the        delivery recipient that provided the authentication input is an        authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped within        the module cargo storage system; and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the item being shipped within the modular cargo storage        system after the authentication input received correlates to the        portion of the authentication information indicating the        delivery recipient providing the authentication input is the        authorized delivery recipient.

188. The method of embodiment 187, further comprising the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the delivery location to the originlocation after the item being shipped is detected to be removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system.

189. The method of embodiment 187, further comprising the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the delivery location to the objectholding location after the item being shipped is detected to be removedfrom within the modular cargo storage system.

190. The method of embodiment 189, further comprising the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themodular mobility base to move from the delivery location to the objectholding location after the item being shipped is detected to be removedfrom within the modular cargo storage system;

-   -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        second delivery notification message to a second external mobile        wireless node operated by a second delivery recipient for an        additional item maintained within the modular cargo storage        system, the second delivery notification message being        transmitted when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly        is within the threshold distance from the object holding        location;    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        second responsive final delivery message from the second        external mobile wireless node, the second responsive final        delivery message including at least a second delivery location        for the additional item maintained within the modular cargo        system; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the object        holding location to the second delivery location identified by        the second responsive final delivery message from the external        mobile wireless node.

191. The method of embodiment 189, further comprising the step ofreceiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a seconddispatch command from the dispatch server, the second dispatch commandincluding at least second destination information and secondauthentication information related to a second dispatched logisticsoperation;

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the delivery        location to the object holding location after the item being        shipped is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo        storage system;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, a second item        being shipped at the object holding location;    -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        second delivery notification message to a second external mobile        wireless node operated by a second delivery recipient for the        second item;    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        second responsive final delivery message from the second        external mobile wireless node, the second responsive final        delivery message including at least a second delivery location        for the second item; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the object        holding location to the second delivery location identified by        the second responsive final delivery message from the second        external mobile wireless node.

Further Embodiment H—Methods of Performing an Inventory ManagementRelated Dispatched Logistics Item for an Inventory Item Using a ModularAutonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a Dispatch Server

1. A method of performing a dispatched inventory operation related to aninventory item for transport within a modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly and a dispatch server, the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly having at least a modular mobility base propelling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power moduleproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, amodular cargo storage system operative to maintain the inventory itemfor transport within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, anda modular mobile autonomy control module that autonomously controlsoperation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, thedispatched inventory operation involving an inventory hub location and aplurality of remote business facilities external to the inventory hublocation, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        inventory dispatch command from the dispatch server, wherein the        inventory dispatch command includes at least destination        information and authentication information related to the        dispatched inventory operation for the inventory item for        transport, the inventory dispatch command further assigning the        inventory item for transport to the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly from the contents of an inventory order        received at the inventory hub location;    -   (b) receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the        inventory item for transport at the inventory hub location;    -   (c) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the inventory hub        location on a route outside of the inventory hub location to one        of the remote business facilities as a destination location        identified by the destination information for the dispatched        inventory operation;    -   (d) receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the        modular mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly and at the destination location, the delivery recipient        authentication input at least correlates to a portion of the        authentication information related to the dispatched inventory        operation indicating the delivery recipient that provided the        delivery recipient authentication input is an authorized        delivery recipient for the inventory item for transport within        the module cargo storage system;    -   (e) providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective        access to the inventory item for transport within the modular        cargo storage system after the delivery recipient authentication        input received correlates to the portion of the authentication        information indicating the delivery recipient providing the        delivery recipient authentication input is the authorized        delivery recipient;    -   (f) detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        removal of the inventory item for transport from within the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   (g) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location on a return route to the inventory hub location after        the inventory item for transport is detected to be removed from        within the modular cargo storage system.

2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofauthenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that eachof the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem are compatible with the dispatched inventory operation prior toreceiving the inventory item for transport;

3. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the modular cargo storage systemcompatible with the dispatched logistics operation comprises one of aplurality of different sized modular cargo storage systems, the one ofthe different sized modular cargo storage systems being compatible witha size parameter for the inventory item for transport as part of thedispatched inventory operation.

4. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the modular mobile autonomycontrol module compatible with the dispatched logistics operationcomprises one of a plurality of different sized modular mobile autonomycontrol modules, the one of the different sized modular mobile autonomycontrol module being compatible with the one of the different sizedmodular cargo storage systems compatible with the size parameter for theinventory item for transport as part of the dispatched inventoryoperation.

5. The method of embodiment 2, further comprising the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themobility base to move to an assembly area at the inventory hub locationwhen one of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, or the modular cargostorage system are found to be not compatible with the dispatchedinventory operation during the authenticating step.

6. The method of embodiment 5, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, areplacement request to the dispatch server, the replacement requestcausing the dispatch server to assign another modular autonomous botapparatus assembly to the dispatched inventory operation to operate inplace of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

7. The method of embodiment 5, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a modulereplacement request to the dispatch server, the module replacementrequest instructing the dispatch server to cause the one of the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, or the modular cargo storage system are found tobe not compatible with the dispatched inventory operation to bereplaced.

8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the contents of the inventoryorder received at the inventory hub location comprises the inventoryitem for transport involved with the dispatched inventory operation anda plurality of additional inventory items to be supplied to others ofthe remote business facilities.

9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the inventory item for transportremoved from within the modular cargo storage system at the destinationlocation comprises a restocking supply of one or more retail items soldat the one of the remote business facilities.

10. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the inventory item for transportremoved from within the modular cargo storage system at the destinationlocation comprises a rebalancing supply of one or more retail items soldat the one of the remote business facilities compared to a currentinventory maintained in the others of the remote business facilities andthe inventory hub location.

11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the destination location on the return routeto the inventory hub location after the inventory item for transport isdetected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to hold at the destination        location and wait for a subsequent inventory dispatch command        from the dispatch server, the subsequent inventory dispatch        command related to a subsequent dispatched inventory operation        involving the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to return to the inventory hub        location after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly        completes the subsequent dispatched inventory operation.

12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

16. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

17. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

18. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched inventory operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item for transportas part of the dispatched inventory operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched inventory operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item for transportas part of the dispatched inventory operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched inventory operation.

20. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the inventory item for transportis a portion from a plurality of inventory order items in a receivedinventory order; and

-   -   further comprising the steps of repeating steps (a)-(g) for the        remaining portions from the inventory order items in the        received inventory order using additional modular autonomous bot        apparatus assemblies to concurrently transport each of the        remaining portions from the inventory order items in the        received inventory order from the inventory hub location to        respective others of the remote business facilities.

21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step (c) of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the inventory hublocation to the destination location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the inventory hub location to the destination location whileinteracting with a wireless building facility node to actuate a pathwayobstacle disposed in a path on the route to the destination location.

22. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

23. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

24. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

25. The method of embodiment 21, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

26. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step (c) of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the inventory hublocation to the destination location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the inventory hub location to the destination location whileengaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedestination location using an articulating arm disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality of sensorsdisposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and the modularmobile autonomy control module.

27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

28. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

29. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

30. The method of embodiment 26, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

31. The method of embodiment 30, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

32. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (b) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated cargo doordisposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an open position,where the actuated cargo door provides a seal to a payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargo door is in aclosed position and the actuated cargo door provides access to thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system when the actuatedcargo door is in the open position.

33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

34. The method of embodiment 32, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

35. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (b) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to move the inventory iteminto a payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

36. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (b) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab and move theinventory item into a payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem as part of receiving the inventory item.

37. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (b) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within a payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuated to causethe inventory item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move withinthe payload area as part of receiving the inventory item.

38. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (e) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated cargo doordisposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an open position oncethe delivery recipient authentication input correlates to a portion ofthe authentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation, wherein the actuated cargo door provides a seal to a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargodoor is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door provides accessto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in the open position.

39. The method of embodiment 38, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

40. The method of embodiment 38, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

41. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (e) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to move the inventory itemout from a payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

42. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (e) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab and move theinventory item out from a payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem.

43. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step (e) comprises actuating, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within a payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuated to causethe inventory item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move outfrom within the payload area.

44. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the inventory dispatch commandfurther includes a shelving system identifier corresponding to anode-enabled shelving system maintaining the inventory item at theinventory hub location; and

-   -   wherein step (b) comprises:        -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            the node-enabled shelving system of an approaching pickup of            the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the            node-enabled shelving system as an intermediate loading            location at the inventory hub location;        -   detecting, by a vision sensor disposed on the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly, an activated light            element on the node-enabled shelving system proximate to the            inventory item as maintained on the node-enabled shelving            system, the light element having been activated in response            to the modular mobile autonomy control module notifying the            node-enabled shelving system of the approaching pickup of            the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the detected            activated light element on the node-enabled shelving system            as a refined intermediate loading location at the first of            the remote business facilities;        -   receiving pickup authentication input by the modular mobile            autonomy control module from the node-enabled shelving            system at the intermediate loading location;        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system when the            pickup authentication input received correlates to the            shelving system identifier from the inventory dispatch            command, and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the            inventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving            system at the intermediate loading location.

45. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the step of receiving theinventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving system atthe intermediate loading location comprises deploying an articulatingarm disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and usingat least the vision sensor and a proximity senor disposed on at leastone of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule to engage the inventory item as maintained on the node-enabledshelving system and place the inventory item within the modular cargostorage system.

46. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the step of receiving theinventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving system atthe intermediate loading location comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to the inventory item on the node-enabled        shelving system using at least the vision sensor and a proximity        senor disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and        the modular mobile autonomy control module;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the inventory item; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the inventory item to a        position within the modular cargo storage system.

47. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the inventory dispatch commandfurther includes a shelving system identifier corresponding to anode-enabled shelving system at the destination location;

-   -   wherein steps (d) and (e) comprising:        -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            the node-enabled shelving system at the destination location            of an approaching delivery of the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the            node-enabled shelving system at the destination location as            an intermediate unloading location at the one of the remote            business facilities;        -   detecting, by a vision sensor disposed on the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly, an activated light            element on the node-enabled shelving system proximate to the            inventory item as maintained on the node-enabled shelving            system, the light element having been activated in response            to the modular mobile autonomy control module notifying the            node-enabled shelving system of the approaching delivery of            the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the detected            activated light element on the node-enabled shelving system            as a refined intermediate loading location at the first of            the remote business facilities;        -   receiving delivery authentication input by the modular            mobile autonomy control module from the node-enabled            shelving system at the intermediate loading location; and        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system when the            delivery authentication input received correlates to the            shelving system identifier from the inventory dispatch            command.

48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein the step (f) of detecting, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, removal of the inventoryitem for transport from within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises:

-   -   deploying an articulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly and using at least the vision sensor and        a proximity senor disposed on at least one of the modular        mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to        engage the inventory item as maintained within the modulator        cargo storage system and place the inventory item on the        node-enabled shelving system.

49. The method of embodiment 47, wherein the step (f) of detecting, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, removal of the inventoryitem for transport from within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises:

-   -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the inventory item within the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the inventory item from within        the modular cargo storage system to a position within the        modular cargo storage system.

50. A method of performing a dispatched inventory balancing operationrelated to an inventory item for transport within a modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly and an inventory management server, the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly having at least a modular mobilitybase propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modularauxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system operative to maintainthe inventory item for transport within the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module thatautonomously controls operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, the dispatched inventory balancing operation involving a botstorage location and a plurality of remote business facilities externalto the bot storage location, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   detecting, by the inventory management server, an inventory        imbalance between a first of the remote business facilities and        a second of the remote business facilities based upon updated        inventories reported from each of the first of the remote        business facilities and the second of the remote business        facilities;    -   transmitting, by the inventory management server, an inventory        dispatch command to the modular mobile autonomy control module,        the inventory dispatch command related to the dispatched        inventory balancing operation between the first of the remote        business facilities and the second of the remote business        facilities;    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        inventory dispatch command from the inventory management server,        wherein the inventory dispatch command includes at least        destination information on an intermediate loading location at        the first of the remote business facilities and a drop-off        location at the second of the remote business facilities,        wherein the inventory dispatch command further includes        authentication information related to the dispatched inventory        balancing operation for the inventory item for transport;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the bot storage        location to the intermediate loading location at the first of        the remote business facilities,    -   receiving pickup authentication input by the modular mobile        autonomy control module from a pickup entity disposed external        to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and at the        intermediate loading location, the pickup authentication input        at least correlates to a first portion of the authentication        information related to the dispatched inventory balancing        operation indicating the pickup entity that provided the pickup        authentication input is an authorized inventory item supplier        for the inventory item for transport within the module cargo        storage system;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to within the modular cargo storage system after the pickup        authentication input received correlates to the first portion of        the authentication information;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the inventory        item for transport at the intermediate loading location;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        loading location to the drop-off location at the second of the        remote business facilities;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly and at the drop-off location, the delivery recipient        authentication input at least correlates to a portion of the        authentication information related to the dispatched inventory        balancing operation indicating the delivery recipient that        provided the delivery recipient authentication input is an        authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item for        transport within the module cargo storage system;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the inventory item for transport within the modular cargo        storage system after the delivery recipient authentication input        received correlates to the portion of the authentication        information indicating the delivery recipient providing the        delivery recipient authentication input is the authorized        delivery recipient;    -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        removal of the inventory item for transport from within the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the drop-off        location on a return route to the bot storage location after the        inventory item for transport is detected to be removed from        within the modular cargo storage system.

51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move from the drop-off location on the return route tothe bot storage location after the inventory item for transport isdetected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to hold at the drop-off        location in a ready for dispatch mode and wait for a subsequent        inventory dispatch command from the dispatch server, the        subsequent inventory dispatch command related to a subsequent        dispatched inventory operation involving the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to return to the inventory hub        location after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly        completes the subsequent dispatched inventory operation.

52. The method of embodiment 50, further comprising the step ofauthenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that eachof the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem are compatible with the dispatched inventory operation prior toreceiving the inventory item for transport.

53. The method of embodiment 52, wherein the modular cargo storagesystem compatible with the dispatched logistics operation comprises oneof a plurality of different sized modular cargo storage systems, the oneof the different sized modular cargo storage systems being compatiblewith a size parameter for the inventory item for transport as part ofthe dispatched inventory operation.

54. The method of embodiment 52, wherein the modular mobile autonomycontrol module compatible with the dispatched logistics operationcomprises one of a plurality of different sized modular mobile autonomycontrol modules, the one of the different sized modular mobile autonomycontrol module being compatible with the one of the different sizedmodular cargo storage systems compatible with the size parameter for theinventory item for transport as part of the dispatched inventoryoperation.

55. The method of embodiment 52, further comprising the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, themobility base to move to an assembly area at the bot storage locationwhen one of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, or the modular cargostorage system are found to be not compatible with the dispatchedinventory operation during the authenticating step.

56. The method of embodiment 55, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, areplacement request to the dispatch server, the replacement requestcausing the dispatch server to assign another modular autonomous botapparatus assembly to the dispatched inventory operation to operate inplace of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

57. The method of embodiment 55, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a modulereplacement request to the dispatch server, the module replacementrequest instructing the dispatch server cause the one of the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modularauxiliary power module, or the modular cargo storage system are found tobe not compatible with the dispatched inventory operation to bereplaced.

58. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

59. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

60. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

61. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

62. The method of embodiment 61, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

63. The method of embodiment 61, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

64. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched inventory operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item for transportas part of the dispatched inventory operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

65. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched inventory operation includes an identifier ofthe authorized delivery recipient for the inventory item for transportas part of the dispatched inventory operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched inventory operation.

66. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the bot storage locationto the intermediate loading location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the bot storage location to the intermediate loading locationwhile interacting with a wireless building facility node to actuate apathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to the intermediateloading location.

67. The method of embodiment 66, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

68. The method of embodiment 66, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

69. The method of embodiment 66, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

70. The method of embodiment 66, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

71. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the bot storage locationto the intermediate loading location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the bot storage location to the intermediate loading locationwhile engaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to theintermediate loading location using an articulating arm disposed on themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofsensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and themodular mobile autonomy control module.

72. The method of embodiment 71, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

73. The method of embodiment 71, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

74. The method of embodiment 71, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

75. The method of embodiment 71, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

76. The method of embodiment 75, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

77. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the inventory item for transport at theintermediate loading location comprises actuating, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, an actuated cargo door disposed on the modularauxiliary power module to an open position, where the actuated cargodoor provides a seal to a payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem when the actuated cargo door is in a closed position and theactuated cargo door provides access to the payload area within themodular cargo storage system when the actuated cargo door is in the openposition.

78. The method of embodiment 77, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

79. The method of embodiment 77, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

80. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the inventory item for transport at theintermediate loading location comprises actuating, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modularcargo storage system to move the inventory item into a payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system.

81. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the inventory item for transport at theintermediate loading location comprises actuating, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to grab and move the inventory item into apayload area within the modular cargo storage system as part ofreceiving the inventory item.

82. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the inventory item for transport at theintermediate loading location comprises actuating, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, an actuated belt surface disposed on themodular auxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposedwithin a payload area inside the modular cargo storage system, theactuated belt surface being operative when actuated to cause theinventory item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move within thepayload area as part of receiving the inventory item.

83. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the inventory item fortransport within the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated cargo doordisposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an open position oncethe delivery recipient authentication input correlates to a portion ofthe authentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation, wherein the actuated cargo door provides a seal to a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargodoor is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door provides accessto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in the open position.

84. The method of embodiment 83, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

85. The method of embodiment 83, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

86. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the inventory item fortransport within the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to move the inventory itemout from a payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

87. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the inventory item fortransport within the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab and move theinventory item out from a payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem.

88. The method of embodiment 50, wherein step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the inventory item fortransport within the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within a payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuated to causethe inventory item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move outfrom within the payload area.

89. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the inventory dispatch commandfurther includes a shelving system identifier corresponding to anode-enabled shelving system maintaining the inventory item at theintermediate loading location; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving, by the modular cargo storage        system, the inventory item for transport at the intermediate        loading location comprises:        -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            the node-enabled shelving system of an approaching pickup of            the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the            node-enabled shelving system at the intermediate loading            location;        -   detecting, by a vision sensor disposed on the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly, an activated light            element on the node-enabled shelving system proximate to the            inventory item as maintained on the node-enabled shelving            system, the light element having been activated in response            to the modular mobile autonomy control module notifying the            node-enabled shelving system of the approaching pickup of            the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the detected            activated light element on the node-enabled shelving system            as a refined intermediate loading location at the first of            the remote business facilities;        -   receiving pickup authentication input by the modular mobile            autonomy control module from the node-enabled shelving            system at the intermediate loading location;        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system when the            pickup authentication input received correlates to the            shelving system identifier from the inventory dispatch            command for the node-enabled shelving system at the            intermediate loading location, and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the            inventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving            system at the intermediate loading location.

90. The method of embodiment 89, wherein the step of receiving theinventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving system atthe intermediate loading location comprises deploying an articulatingarm disposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and usingat least the vision sensor and a proximity senor disposed on at leastone of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule to engage the inventory item as maintained on the node-enabledshelving system and place the inventory item within the modular cargostorage system.

91. The method of embodiment 89, wherein the step of receiving theinventory item for transport from the node-enabled shelving system atthe intermediate loading location comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to the inventory item on the node-enabled        shelving system using at least the vision sensor and a proximity        senor disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and        the modular mobile autonomy control module;    -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the inventory item; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the inventory item to a        position within the modular cargo storage system.

92. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the inventory dispatch commandfurther includes a shelving system identifier corresponding to anode-enabled shelving system at the drop-off location at the second ofthe remote business facilities;

-   -   wherein the steps of providing the selective access to the        inventory item and detecting removal of the inventory item        comprising:        -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            the node-enabled shelving system at the drop-off location of            an approaching delivery of the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the            node-enabled shelving system at the drop-off location;        -   detecting, by a vision sensor disposed on the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly, an activated light            element on the node-enabled shelving system proximate to the            inventory item as maintained on the node-enabled shelving            system, the light element having been activated in response            to the modular mobile autonomy control module notifying the            node-enabled shelving system of the approaching delivery of            the inventory item;        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move to the detected            activated light element on the node-enabled shelving system            as a refined intermediate unloading location at the second            of the remote business facilities;        -   receiving delivery authentication input by the modular            mobile autonomy control module from the node-enabled            shelving system at the refined intermediate loading            location; and        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system when the            delivery authentication input received correlates to the            shelving system identifier from the inventory dispatch            command at the drop-off location.

93. The method of embodiment 92, wherein the step of detecting, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, removal of the inventory itemfor transport from within the modular cargo storage system comprises:

-   -   deploying an articulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly and using at least the vision sensor and        a proximity senor disposed on at least one of the modular        mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control module to        engage the inventory item as maintained within the modulator        cargo storage system and place the inventory item on the        node-enabled shelving system.

94. The method of embodiment 92, wherein the step of detecting, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, removal of the inventory itemfor transport from within the modular cargo storage system comprises:

-   -   engaging, by the articulating arm, the inventory item within the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   moving, by the articulating arm, the inventory item from within        the modular cargo storage system to a position on the        node-enabled shelving system corresponding to the activated        light element.

Further Embodiment I—Methods of Performing a DispatchedStore-to-Consumer Logistics Operation Related to an Ordered Item andUsing a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a Dispatch Server

1. A method of performing a dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation related to an ordered item and using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and a dispatch server, the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly having at least a modular mobility base propellingthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary powermodule providing power for the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, a modular cargo storage system operative to maintain theordered item within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and amodular mobile autonomy control module that autonomously controlsoperation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command        comprising at least        -   identifier information on the ordered item,        -   transport parameters on the ordered item,        -   destination delivery information related to delivery of the            ordered item, and        -   delivery authentication information related to an authorized            delivery recipient of the ordered item;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched        store-to-consumer logistics operation based upon the dispatch        command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        in a payload area within the modular cargo storage system;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from an origin        location on a route to a destination location identified by the        destination delivery information;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized delivery recipient of the ordered item of an        approaching delivery once the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly is within a threshold notification range of the        destination location identified by the destination information;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly at the destination location;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the ordered item within the modular cargo storage system only        when the delivery recipient authentication input received        correlates to the delivery authentication information indicating        that the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading of the ordered item from within the modular cargo        storage system using one or more sensors on at least one of the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo        storage system; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location on a return route to the origin location after the        ordered item is detected to be removed from within the modular        cargo storage system based upon monitoring the unloading of the        ordered item.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the dispatch command furthercomprising supplier authentication information related to an authorizedsupplier of the ordered item to be transported within the modular cargostorage system, and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the ordered item comprises:        -   receiving supplier authentication input by the modular            mobile autonomy control module from a loading entity            disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly at the origin location; and        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system only when            the supplier authentication input received correlates to the            supplier authentication information indicating that the            loading entity providing the supplier authentication input            is the authorized supplier of the ordered item to be            transported within the modular cargo storage system during            the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operations.

3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisesgenerating a display alert for the authorized delivery recipient on adisplay on the modular mobile autonomy control module once the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly is within the threshold notificationrange of the destination location identified by the destinationinformation.

4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisesgenerating an audio notification for the authorized delivery recipienton a speaker on the modular mobile autonomy control module once themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within the thresholdnotification range of the destination location identified by thedestination information.

5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisestransmitting a delivery notification message to an external wirelessnode once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information.

6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the external wireless node beingrelated to a designated wireless user identified in the dispatchcommand.

7. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the external wireless node beingrelated to the authorized delivery recipient according to thedestination delivery information.

8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisestransmitting a delivery notification message to an external wirelessnode after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves from theorigin location, the external wireless node being related to theauthorized delivery recipient according to the destination deliveryinformation.

9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the notifying step furthercomprises transmitting an arrival estimate to the external wirelessnode, the arrival estimate indicating an estimated time to arrive at thedestination location.

10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedispatch command from the dispatch server comprises receiving, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, a delivery order assignmentmessage as the dispatch command from a retail system that received atransaction order for the ordered item, wherein the retail systemoperating as the dispatch server.

11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises generating a log entry in a custodialinventory data structure when the ordered item is detected to be removedfrom within the modular cargo storage system, the log entry reflectingthe removal of the ordered item from within the modular cargo storagesystem.

12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   capturing sensor data from the one or more sensors on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the ordered item is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system based upon the captured sensor        data.

13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the captured sensor datacomprises visual images of what is disposed within the modular cargostorage system.

14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   generating barcode scan data related to the ordered item as the        ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storage        system using a barcode scanner as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the        ordered item as the ordered item is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   detecting advertising data related to a node with the ordered        item as the ordered item is removed from within the modular        cargo storage system; and    -   processing the generated advertising data to monitor the        location of the node with the ordered item as the ordered item        is removed from within the modular cargo storage system.

16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   generating image data related to the ordered item as the ordered        item is removed from within the modular cargo storage system        using a camera as one of the one or more sensors; and    -   processing the generated image data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system.

17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   generating video data related to the ordered item as the ordered        item is removed from within the modular cargo storage system        using a video camera as one of the one or more sensors; and    -   processing the generated video data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system.

18. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   capturing audio data using a microphone as one of the one or        more sensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to        the modular cargo storage system as the ordered item is removed        from within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   processing the captured audio data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system.

19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises detecting movement of a wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item as the ordered item is removed fromwithin the modular cargo storage system based upon a plurality ofsignals broadcast from the wireless node associated with the ordereditem.

20. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the ordered item comprises detecting a change in location of awireless node associated with the ordered item to outside the modularcargo storage system as the ordered item is removed from within themodular cargo storage system as determined by the modular mobileautonomous control module

21. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a firstinventory data structure corresponding to the ordered item uponreceiving the ordered item, wherein the first inventory data structureincluding a first chain of custody entry reflecting departure from theorigin location for the ordered item while in the custody of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

22. The method of embodiment 21, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a secondchain of custody entry within the first inventory data structure afterarrival at the destination location, the second chain of custodyreflecting arrival from the destination location for delivery of theordered item from the custody of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

23. The method of embodiment 22, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a third chainof custody entry within the first inventory data structure after arrivalat the destination location and after detecting the ordered item hasbeen removed from within the modular cargo storage system, the thirdchain of custody reflecting the ordered item changing custody to theauthorized delivery recipient from the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

24. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location to thedestination location comprises autonomously causing, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move fromthe origin location to the destination location while interacting with awireless building facility node to actuate a pathway obstacle disposedin a path on the route to the destination location.

25. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

26. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

27. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

28. The method of embodiment 24, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

29. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location to thedestination location comprises autonomously causing, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move fromthe origin location to the destination location while engaging a pathwayobstacle disposed in a path on the route to the destination locationusing an articulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and using a plurality of sensors disposed on at leastone of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

31. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

32. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

33. The method of embodiment 29, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

35. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving theordered item in the payload area within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated cargo door disposed on the modular auxiliary power module to anopen position, where the actuated cargo door provides a seal to thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system when the actuatedcargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door providesaccess to the payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in the open position.

36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

37. The method of embodiment 35, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

38. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step of receiving the ordereditem in the payload area within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tomove the ordered item into the payload area within the modular cargostorage system.

39. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step of receiving the ordereditem in the payload area within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tograb and move the ordered item into the payload area within the modularcargo storage system as part of receiving the ordered item.

40. The method of embodiment 1, wherein step of receiving the ordereditem in the payload area within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated belt surface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module asa movable support surface exposed within the payload area inside themodular cargo storage system, the actuated belt surface being operativewhen actuated to cause the ordered item as placed on the actuated beltsurface to move within the payload area as part of receiving the ordereditem.

41. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated cargo door disposedon the modular auxiliary power module to an open position once thedelivery recipient authentication input correlates to a portion of theauthentication information related to the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation, wherein the actuated cargo door provides a seal tothe payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargo doorprovides access to the payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem when the actuated cargo door is in the open position.

42. The method of embodiment 41, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

43. The method of embodiment 41, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

44. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding arm disposedon the modular cargo storage system to move the ordered item out fromthe payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

45. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab and move theordered item out from the payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem.

46. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuated to causethe ordered item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move out fromwithin the payload area.

47. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

48. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

49. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

50. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

52. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

53. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery authenticationinformation related to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation includes an identifier of the authorized delivery recipientfor the ordered item as part of the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the ordered item            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

54. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery authenticationinformation related to the dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation includes an identifier of the authorized delivery recipientfor the ordered item as part of the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation.

55. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ordered item comprises apharmaceutical item;

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the ordered item in the payload        area within the modular cargo storage system comprises        receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the        pharmaceutical item as part of a pharmaceutical transaction        between a pharmacy and the authorized delivery recipient of the        pharmaceutical item.

56. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the destination deliveryinformation related to the delivery of the ordered item comprises arequested time of day for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyto arrive at the destination location for the delivery of the ordereditem to the authorized delivery recipient.

57. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the destination deliveryinformation related to the delivery of the ordered item comprises arequested day of the week for the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly to arrive at the destination location for the delivery of theordered item to the authorized delivery recipient.

58. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the destination deliveryinformation related to the delivery of the ordered item comprisescontact information for the authorized delivery recipient to use whennotifying the authorized delivery recipient.

59. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the destination deliveryinformation related to the delivery of the ordered item comprises aspecial delivery instruction for delivery of the ordered item.

60. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the step of receiving theordered item comprises notifying, by the dispatch server, the loadingentity of a load time deadline for placing the ordered item within themodular cargo storage system as part of the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation for the ordered item, the step of notifying theloading entity of the load time deadline occurring prior to receivingthe supplier authentication input.

61. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedelivery recipient authentication input comprises receivingmultiple-factor delivery recipient authentication input from thedelivery recipient, and wherein the delivery authentication informationincluding multiple-factor authentication input answers that whencollectively correlating to the multiple-factor delivery recipientauthentication input from the delivery recipient indicates the deliveryrecipient is the authorized delivery recipient.

62. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the destination deliveryinformation comprises a selected delivery timeframe for presenting theordered item to the authorized delivery recipient, wherein the selecteddelivery timeframe corresponds to a range of time over which the modularautonomous bot apparatus will autonomously arrive at the destinationlocation for monitored unloading of the ordered item as part of thedispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation.

63. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the dispatch command furthercomprising supplier authentication information related to an authorizedretail personnel that obtains and provides the ordered item to themodular cargo storage system, and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the ordered item comprises:        -   receiving supplier authentication input by the modular            mobile autonomy control module from a loading retail            personnel disposed external to the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly at the origin location; and        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to within the modular cargo storage system only when            the supplier authentication input received correlates to the            supplier authentication information indicating that the            loading retail personnel providing the supplier            authentication input is the authorized retail personnel for            obtaining and providing the ordered item.

64. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the authorized retail personnelobtains and provides the ordered item within the modular cargo storagesystem after the dispatch server instructs the authorized retailpersonnel to obtain obtains and provides the ordered item to the modularcargo storage system as part of the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation.

65. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the step of receiving theordered item further comprises monitoring, by the modular mobileautonomy control module, loading of the ordered item from within themodular cargo storage system as the ordered item is received within themodular cargo storage system, the monitoring using one or more sensorson at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and themodular cargo storage system.

66. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises generating a log entry in a custodialinventory data structure when the ordered item is detected to be placedwithin the modular cargo storage system, the log entry reflectingplacement of the ordered item within the modular cargo storage system.

67. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises:

-   -   capturing sensor data from the one or more sensors on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the ordered item is placed within the modular        cargo storage system based upon the captured sensor data.

68. The method of embodiment 67, wherein the captured sensor datacomprises visual images of what is disposed within the modular cargostorage system.

69. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises generating barcode scan data related toordered item as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargostorage system using a barcode scanner as one of the one or moresensors.

70. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises generating image data related to ordereditem as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storagesystem using a camera as one of the one or more sensors.

71. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises generating video data related to ordereditem as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storagesystem using a video camera as one of the one or more sensors.

72. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises capturing audio data using a microphone asone of the one or more sensors disposed to record sound within andproximate to the modular cargo storage system as the ordered item isplaced within the modular cargo storage system.

73. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises detecting movement of a wireless nodeassociated with the ordered item as the ordered item is placed withinthe modular cargo storage system based upon a plurality of signalsbroadcast from the wireless node associated with the ordered item.

74. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the ordered item comprises detecting a change in location of awireless node associated with the ordered item from outside the modularcargo storage system to inside the modular cargo storage system as theordered item is placed within the modular cargo storage system asdetermined by the modular mobile autonomous control module.

75. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the steps of:

notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the authorizeddelivery recipient of an anticipated delivery time of the ordered itemat the destination location prior to receiving the ordered item in themodular cargo storage system; and

receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a responsiveconfirmation from the authorized delivery recipient related to theanticipated delivery of the ordered item;

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the ordered item within the        payload area within the modular cargo storage system depends on        the responsive confirmation from the authorized delivery        recipient.

76. The method of embodiment 75, the step of receiving the ordered itemwithin the payload area within the modular cargo storage systempermissively proceeds upon receipt of the responsive confirmation whenthe responsive confirmation from the authorized delivery recipientindicates acceptance of the anticipated delivery time of the ordereditem.

77. The method of embodiment 75, the step of receiving the ordered itemwithin the payload area within the modular cargo storage system isdelayed upon receipt of the responsive confirmation when the responsiveconfirmation from the authorized delivery recipient indicates analternative delivery time of the ordered item.

78. The method of embodiment 75, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the anticipated delivery time comprisestransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a wirelessnotification message directly to an external wireless node identified tobe related to the authorized delivery recipient based upon the deliveryauthentication information, where the wireless notification messageprovides the anticipated delivery time to the authorized deliveryrecipient; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the responsive confirmation from        the authorized delivery recipient comprises receiving a wireless        confirmation message directly from the external wireless node        identified to be related to the authorized delivery recipient,        where the wireless confirmation message provides the responsive        confirmation from the authorized delivery recipient.

79. The method of embodiment 75, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the anticipated delivery time comprisestransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anotification message indirectly through the dispatch server to theauthorized delivery recipient, where the notification message providesthe anticipated delivery time to the authorized delivery recipient; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the responsive confirmation from        the authorized delivery recipient comprises receiving a        confirmation message indirectly from the authorized delivery        recipient through the dispatch server, where the confirmation        message provides the responsive confirmation from the authorized        delivery recipient.

80. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedelivery recipient authentication input conforms to a store-selectedsecurity protocol for verifying the delivery recipient authenticationinput is from the authorized delivery recipient so that the ordered itemis provided only to the authorized delivery recipient.

81. The method of embodiment 80, wherein the store-selected securityprotocol has the delivery recipient authentication input received by themodular mobile autonomy control module being provided by the deliveryrecipient through a user input panel disposed on the modular autonomousbot apparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

82. The method of embodiment 80, wherein the store-selected securityprotocol has the delivery recipient authentication input received by themodular mobile autonomy control module comprising an access codeprovided by the delivery recipient through the user input panel disposedon the modular cargo storage system and operatively coupled to themodular mobile autonomy control module.

83. The method of embodiment 80, wherein the store-selected securityprotocol has the delivery recipient authentication input received by themodular mobile autonomy control module comprising a biometric inputprovided by the delivery recipient through the user input panel disposedon the modular cargo storage system and operatively coupled to themodular mobile autonomy control module.

84. The method of embodiment 80, wherein the store-selected securityprotocol has the delivery recipient authentication input received by themodular mobile autonomy control module being provided by the deliveryrecipient through an external wireless node disposed external to themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

85. The method of embodiment 84, wherein the store-selected securityprotocol has the delivery recipient authentication input received by themodular mobile autonomy control module comprising an access codeprovided by the delivery recipient through the external wireless nodedisposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

86. The method of embodiment 84, wherein the store-selected securityprotocol has the delivery recipient authentication input received by themodular mobile autonomy control module comprising a biometric inputprovided by the delivery recipient through the external wireless nodedisposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

87. The method of embodiment 80, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched store-to-customer logistics operation includesan identifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the ordered itemas part of the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input using the store-selected security protocol        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the ordered item            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

88. The method of embodiment 80, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched store-to-customer logistics operation includesan identifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the ordered itemas part of the dispatched store-to-customer logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input using the store-selected security protocol        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched store-to-customer logistics operation.

89. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring theunloading of the ordered item comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        the ordered item has been removed from within the modular cargo        storage system based upon sensor data generated by the one or        more sensors;    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        satisfaction indicator input from the authorized delivery        recipient after detecting that the ordered item has been removed        from within the modular cargo storage system;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        back within the modular cargo storage system only when the        satisfaction indicator input reflects the authorized delivery        recipient is returning the ordered item; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location to the origin        location comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from        the destination location on the return route to the origin        location after receiving the satisfaction indicator input and        transporting contents of the payload area within the modular        cargo storage system depending upon the satisfaction indicator        input.

90. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a dispatchcommand acceptance response to the dispatch server acknowledgingacceptance of the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation basedupon the dispatch command and a status of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly.

91. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of transmitting thedispatch command acceptance response comprises:

-   -   accessing, by the modular mobility autonomy control module,        context data on environmental conditions about the origin        location and the destination location;    -   generating the dispatch command acceptance response based upon        the dispatch command, the status of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly, and the accessed context data on the        environmental conditions about the origin location and the        destination location; and    -   transmitting the generated dispatch command acceptance response        to the dispatch server.

92. The method of embodiment 90, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a dispatchcommand decline response to the dispatch server informing the dispatchserver that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is unable toperform the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation based uponthe dispatch command and the status of the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and that the dispatch server must send the dispatchcommand to another modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at theorigin location in order to complete the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation.

93. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of transmitting thedispatch command decline response comprises:

-   -   identifying, by the modular mobility autonomy control module, an        adverse transit condition based upon context data on        environmental conditions about the origin location and the        destination location;    -   generating the dispatch command decline response based upon the        dispatch command, the status of the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly, and the adverse transit condition related to        the context data on the environmental conditions about the        origin location and the destination location; and    -   transmitting the generated dispatch command decline response to        the dispatch server.

94. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the context data on theenvironmental conditions about the origin location and the destinationlocation being part of the dispatch command received from the dispatchserver.

95. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a dispatchcommand redirect response to the dispatch server requesting a change tothe dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation based upon contextdata on the environmental conditions about at least one of the originlocation and the destination location.

96. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the modular cargo storage systemverified to be compatible with the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation comprises climate control module disposed within thepayload area and operative to maintain a desired environment in thepayload area of the modular cargo storage system for the ordered itemaccording to the transport parameters on the ordered item.

97. The method of embodiment 96, wherein the payload area comprises atleast a partially insulated area within modular cargo storage system.

98. The method of embodiment 96, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a climatecontrol input to the climate control module to alter an environment nextto the climate control module to maintain the desired environment in thepayload area according to the transport parameters on the ordered item.

99. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the display alert generated onthe display on the modular mobile autonomy control module comprises aheat caution related to the ordered item.

100. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the display alert generated onthe display on the modular mobile autonomy control module comprisesbranded information on a food service entity that supplies the ordereditem.

101. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the display alert generated onthe display on the modular mobile autonomy control module comprisesinstructional information related to the ordered item.

102. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the display alert comprisesbranded information from a food service entity that supplies the ordereditem, the branded information including information about additionalitems available for order from the food service entity.

103. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the ordered item comprises aplurality of food stuffs gathered by the loading entity.

104. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the ordered item comprises aplurality of retail items sold by a business entity that employs theloading entity.

105. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationon the return route to the origin location after the ordered item isdetected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location to a secondary delivery location after the ordered item        is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage        system at the destination location and after an additional item        is detected within the modular cargo storage system while at the        destination location, the secondary delivery location being        identified as part of the destination information related to the        dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the secondary        delivery location to the origin location after the additional        item is detected to be removed from within the modular cargo        storage system at the secondary delivery location.

106. The method of embodiment 105, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving third party entity authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a third party entity while        at the secondary delivery location after the modular mobility        base arrives at the secondary delivery location, the third party        entity authentication input correlating to a portion of the        authentication information related to the dispatched        store-to-consumer logistics operation indicating the third party        entity that provided the third party entity authentication input        is an authorized third party recipient for the additional item        within the module cargo storage system as part of the dispatched        store-to-consumer logistics operation; and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to within the modular cargo storage system for removal of the        additional item after the third party entity authentication        input received correlates to the portion of the authentication        information indicating the third party entity providing the        third party entity authentication input is the authorized third        party recipient for the additional item.

107. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving theordered item in the payload area comprises receiving, by the modularcargo storage system, the ordered item in a first compartment of aplurality of separated storage compartments within the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system;

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring unloading of the ordered item        comprises monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, unloading of the ordered item from the first compartment        within the modular cargo storage system using the one or more        sensors on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control        module and the modular cargo storage system; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the origin location after the ordered item is detected to be        removed from within the modular cargo storage system comprises:    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location to a secondary delivery location after the ordered item        is detected to be removed from the first compartment within the        modular cargo storage system at the destination location and        after the additional item is detected within a second        compartment of the separated storage compartments within the        modular cargo storage system while at the destination location,        the secondary delivery location being identified as part of the        destination information related to the dispatched        store-to-consumer logistics operation; and        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the secondary            delivery location to the origin location after the            additional item is detected to be removed from the second            compartment within the modular cargo storage system at the            secondary delivery location.

108. The method of embodiment 107, wherein the step of providingselective access to the ordered item within the modular cargo storagesystem comprises providing, by the modular cargo storage system,selective access to the first compartment maintaining the ordered itemwithin the modular cargo storage system while limiting access to othersof the separated storage compartments including the second compartment,selective access to the first compartment being provided only when thedelivery recipient authentication input received correlates to thedelivery authentication information indicating that the deliveryrecipient providing the delivery recipient authentication input is theauthorized delivery recipient.

109. The method of embodiment 107, further comprising the step ofsetting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a firstdetachable climate control module disposed within the first compartmentof the separated storage compartments within the payload area to firstdesired temperature according to the transport parameters on the ordereditem.

110. The method of embodiment 107, further comprising the step ofsetting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a seconddetachable climate control module disposed within the second compartmentof the separated storage compartments within the payload area to seconddesired temperature according to a transport parameter on the additionalitem, the transport parameter on the additional item being included inthe dispatch command and related to the dispatched store-to-consumerlogistics operation.

111. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedispatch command comprises receiving, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, a pre-screened dispatch command from the dispatchserver, the pre-screened dispatch command indicating the dispatch serverhas verified the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation is anautonomous delivery eligible logistics operation, the pre-screeneddispatch command comprising at least

-   -   identifier information on the ordered item,    -   transport parameters on the ordered item,    -   destination delivery information related to delivery of the        ordered item, and    -   delivery authentication information related to an authorized        delivery recipient of the ordered item.

112. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the steps, prior toreceiving the dispatch command, of:

-   -   receiving, by the dispatch server, an autonomous delivery order        for the ordered item priced at an autonomous delivery option        level below a non-autonomous delivery option level for the same        ordered item; and    -   transmitting, by the dispatch server, the dispatch command to        the modular mobile autonomy control module of the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

113. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationon the return route to the bot storage location after the ordered itemis detected to be removed from within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule, the modular mobility base to move from the destination locationback to the origin location after the ordered item is detected to beremoved from within the modular cargo storage system at the destinationlocation and an additional item is detected to be placed within themodular cargo storage system at the destination location, the additionalitem to be returned to the origin location as a new retail work orderfrom the authorized delivery recipient.

114. The method of embodiment 113, further comprising the step ofautonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,transfer of the additional item out from the payload area the modularcargo storage system at the origin location for processing of theadditional item according to the new retail work order by a retailprocessing system located at the original location.

115. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the origin location is awarehousing location for warehoused ordered items and wherein thedispatch command further comprises a pickup location within thewarehousing location where the ordered item is to be provided by awireless node-enabled pick and place machine from the warehoused ordereditems;

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the ordered item in the payload        area within the modular cargo storage system comprises:        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from within the            warehousing location to the pickup location;        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from the wireless node-enable            pick and pack machine as the modular mobility base            approaches the pickup location;        -   establishing a secure association between the modular mobile            autonomy control module and the wireless node-enabled pick            and place machine after detecting the unprompted advertising            signal from the wireless node-enabled pick and place            machine, the secure association between the wireless            node-enabled pick and place machine and the modular mobile            autonomy control module allowing secure sharing of            information between the wireless node-enabled pick and place            machine and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation;        -   securely sharing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the identifier of the ordered item involved in the            dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation with the            wireless node-enabled pick and place machine; and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered            item in the payload area within the modular cargo storage            system from the wireless node-enabled pick and place            machine.

116. The method of embodiment 115, wherein the step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the ordered item in the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system from the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine comprises:

-   -   requesting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        wireless node-enabled pick and place machine to obtain the        ordered item based upon the identifier of the ordered item        securely shared with the wireless node-enabled pick and place        machine; and    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine in        response to the requesting step, wherein the ordered item        received from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine        is placed by the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine        within the payload area of the modular cargo storage system.

117. The method of embodiment 115, wherein the step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the ordered item in the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system from the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine comprises:

-   -   requesting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        wireless node-enabled pick and place machine to obtain the        ordered item based upon the identifier of the ordered item        securely shared with the wireless node-enabled pick and place        machine;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine in        response to the requesting step, wherein the ordered item        received from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine        is placed by the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine on        an actuated belt surface of the modular cargo storage system;        and    -   actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        actuated belt surface to move the ordered item placed on the        actuated belt surface to within the payload area of the modular        cargo storage system.

118. The method of embodiment 115, wherein the step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the ordered item in the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system from the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine comprises:

-   -   requesting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        wireless node-enabled pick and place machine to obtain the        ordered item based upon the identifier of the ordered item        securely shared with the wireless node-enabled pick and place        machine;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine in        response to the requesting step, wherein the ordered item        received from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine        is placed by the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine on        an extended ramp of the modular cargo storage system; and    -   actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        actuated grabbing arm disposed within the modular cargo system        to move the ordered item from on the extended ramp to within the        payload area of the modular cargo storage system.

119. The method of embodiment 115, wherein the step of receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the ordered item in the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system from the wireless node-enabledpick and place machine comprises:

-   -   requesting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        wireless node-enabled pick and place machine to obtain the        ordered item based upon the identifier of the ordered item        securely shared with the wireless node-enabled pick and place        machine;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine in        response to the requesting step, wherein the ordered item        received from the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine        is placed by the wireless node-enabled pick and place machine        within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        actuated sliding arm disposed within the modular cargo system to        move the ordered item as placed within the modular cargo storage        system to within the payload area of the modular cargo storage        system.

120. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the identifier information onthe ordered item further comprises a node identifier corresponding to awireless node associated with the ordered item.

121. The method of embodiment 120, wherein the step of receiving theordered item in the payload area within the modular cargo storage systemcomprises:

-   -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        unprompted advertising signal from the wireless node associated        with the ordered item;    -   establishing a secure association between the modular mobile        autonomy control module and the wireless node associated with        the ordered item after detecting the unprompted advertising        signal from the wireless node associated with the ordered item,        the secure association between the wireless node associated with        the ordered item and the modular mobile autonomy control module        allowing secure sharing of information between the wireless node        associated with the ordered item and the modular mobile autonomy        control module, the secure association being pre-authorized by        the dispatch server as it relates to the dispatched        store-to-consumer logistics operation;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        in the payload area within the modular cargo storage system        after establishing the secure association.

122. The method of embodiment 121, wherein the step of monitoringunloading of the ordered item from within the modular cargo storagesystem comprises:

-   -   monitoring a location of the wireless node associated with the        ordered item operating as an ID node by the modular mobile        autonomy control module operating as a master node; and    -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, when        the location of the wireless node associated with the ordered        item is outside the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

123. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ordered item comprises aplurality of trial items being sent to the authorized delivery recipientfor satisfaction assessment before purchase;

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring the unloading of the ordered item        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            that each of the trial items have been removed from within            the modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data            generated by the one or more sensors,        -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a            satisfaction indicator input from the authorized delivery            recipient after detecting that the trial items have been            removed from within the modular cargo storage system, the            satisfaction indicator input reflecting one or more of the            trial items are to be returned after the satisfaction            assessment by the authorized delivery recipient, and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the one or            more trial items to be returned within the modular cargo            storage system; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location to the origin        location comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from        the destination location on the return route to the origin        location after receiving the satisfaction indicator input and        receiving the one or more of the trial items to be returned in        the payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

124. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the trial items compriseretail clothing items of differing sizes.

125. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the trial items compriseretail clothing items of differing designs.

126. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the trial items compriseretail clothing items of differing colors.

127. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ordered item comprises aplurality of trial items being sent to the authorized delivery recipientfor satisfaction assessment before purchase;

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring the unloading of the ordered item        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            that each of the trial items have been removed from within            the modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data            generated by the one or more sensors, and        -   causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the            modular mobility base to remain stationary for a            predetermined period of time awaiting a satisfaction            indicator input from the authorized delivery recipient after            detecting that the trial items have been removed from within            the modular cargo storage system; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location to the origin        location comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from        the destination location on the return route to the origin        location after the predetermined period of time expires without        receiving the satisfaction indicator input.

128. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ordered item comprises aplurality of trial items being sent to the authorized delivery recipientfor satisfaction assessment before purchase;

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring the unloading of the ordered item        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            that each of the trial items have been removed from within            the modular cargo storage system based upon sensor data            generated by the one or more sensors,        -   causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the            modular mobility base to remain stationary up to a            predetermined period of time awaiting a satisfaction            indicator input from the authorized delivery recipient after            detecting that the trial items have been removed from within            the modular cargo storage system; and        -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a            satisfaction indicator input from the authorized delivery            recipient after detecting that the trial items have been            removed from within the modular cargo storage system and            prior to the end of the predetermined period of time, the            satisfaction indicator input reflecting one or more of the            trial items are to be returned after the satisfaction            assessment by the authorized delivery recipient, and        -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the one or            more trial items to be returned within the modular cargo            storage system; and    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location to the origin        location comprises autonomously causing, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from        the destination location on the return route to the origin        location after receiving the satisfaction indicator input and        receiving the one or more of the trial items to be returned in        the payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

129. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedispatch command comprises receiving, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, a pre-screened dispatch command from the dispatchserver, the pre-screened dispatch command indicating the dispatch serverhas verified the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation is anautonomous delivery eligible logistics operation according to a weightof the ordered item, the pre-screened dispatch command comprising atleast

-   -   identifier information on the ordered item,    -   transport parameters on the ordered item,    -   destination delivery information related to delivery of the        ordered item, and    -   delivery authentication information related to an authorized        delivery recipient of the ordered item.

130. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the transport parameters on theordered item comprise at least weight information about the ordered itemto be transported within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly;and

-   -   wherein the verifying step comprises verifying, by the modular        mobile autonomy control module, that each of the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modular        auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system are        compatible with weight information about the ordered item.

131. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the transport parameters on theordered item comprise at least weight information about the ordered itemto be transported within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly;and

-   -   wherein the verifying step comprises verifying, by the modular        mobile autonomy control module, that the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly has a transport capacity that is compatible        with the weight information about the ordered item.

132. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the dispatch command furthercomprises a delivery schedule for what is to be delivered from contentsof the modular cargo storage system;

-   -   wherein the transport parameters on the ordered item comprise at        least weight information about the ordered item to be        transported within the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly; and    -   wherein the verifying step comprises        -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has a            transport capacity that is compatible with the weight            information about the ordered item; and        -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,            that the delivery schedule is compatible with the weight            information about the ordered item.

133. The method of embodiment 132, wherein the delivery schedulecomprises at least one pickup logistics operation to be performed aspart of the dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operation, whereinthe at least one pickup logistics operation anticipated to add anadditional item having additional weight in the payload area with theordered item.

134. A method of performing a dispatched store-to-consumer logisticsoperation related to an ordered item and using a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and a dispatch server, the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly having at least a modular mobility base propellingthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary powermodule providing power for the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, a modular cargo storage system operative to maintain theordered item within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and amodular mobile autonomy control module that autonomously controlsoperation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command        comprising at least        -   identifier information on the ordered item,        -   transport parameters on the ordered item, and        -   destination delivery information related to delivery of the            ordered item;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched        store-to-consumer logistics operation based upon the dispatch        command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the ordered item        in a payload area within the modular cargo storage system;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from an origin        location on a route to a destination location identified by the        destination delivery information;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the ordered item within the modular cargo storage system upon        arrival at the destination location;    -   autonomously, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading the ordered item from within the modular cargo storage        system using an object manipulation system disposed on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        cargo storage system, and the modular auxiliary power module;        and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location on a return route to the origin location after the        ordered item is removed from within the modular cargo storage        system by the object manipulation system.

135. The method of embodiment 134, wherein the dispatch command furthercomprises delivery authentication information related to an authorizedfacility node associated with the destination location; and

-   -   further comprising the step of receiving delivery authentication        input by the modular mobile autonomy control module from an        external wireless node disposed external to the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the destination location;        and    -   wherein the providing step comprises providing, by the modular        cargo storage system, selective access to the ordered item        within the modular cargo storage system only when the delivery        authentication input received correlates to the delivery        authentication information indicating that the external wireless        node providing the delivery authentication input is the        authorized facility node.

136. The method of embodiment 134, wherein the dispatch command furthercomprises notification information for a designated notificationrecipient for the ordered item; and

-   -   further comprising the step of notifying, by the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the designated notification recipient        for the ordered item using the notification information, the        step of notifying being triggered when the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range        of the destination location identified by the destination        information.

Further Embodiment J—Methods of Performing a DispatchedConsumer-to-Store Return or Swap Logistics Operation Related to an Itembeing Replaced and Using a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly anda Dispatch Server

1. A method of performing a dispatched consumer-to-store returnlogistics operation related to an item being replaced and using amodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server, themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly having at least a modularmobility base propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly,a modular auxiliary power module providing power for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage systemoperative to at least temporarily maintain the item being replacedwithin the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modularmobile autonomy control module that autonomously controls operation ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly during the dispatchedconsumer-to-store return logistics operation, the method comprising thesteps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        return operation dispatch command from the dispatch server, the        return operation dispatch command comprising at least        -   identifier information on the item being replaced,        -   transport parameters on the item being replaced,        -   designated pickup information related to pickup of the item            being replaced, and        -   pickup authentication information related to an authorized            supplier of the item being replaced;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched        consumer-to-store return logistics operation based upon the        dispatch command;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from an origin        location on a route to a designated pickup location identified        by the designated pickup information;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized supplier of the item being replaced of an approaching        pickup for the item being replaced once the modular autonomous        bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range        of the designated pickup location identified by the designated        pickup information;    -   receiving supplier authentication input by the modular mobile        autonomy control module from a return entity disposed external        to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the        designated pickup location;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to a payload area within the modular cargo storage system only        when the supplier authentication input received correlates to        the pickup authentication information indicating that the return        entity providing the supplier authentication input is the        authorized supplier of the item being replaced;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        loading of the item being replaced into the payload area of the        modular cargo storage system using one or more sensors on at        least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the item being        replaced in the payload area within the modular cargo storage        system;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, return        documentation provided by the authorized supplier of the item        being return, the return documentation indicating the item being        replaced is authorized to be returned in accordance with a        return transaction order received by the dispatch server; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the designated        pickup location on a return route to the origin location after        the item being replaced is detected to be within the modular        cargo storage system based upon monitoring the loading of the        item being replaced and the return documentation is loaded        within the modular cargo storage system with the item being        replaced.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisesgenerating a display alert for the authorized supplier of the item beingreplaced on a display on the modular mobile autonomy control module oncethe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within the thresholdnotification range of the designated pickup location identified by thedesignated pickup information.

3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisesgenerating an audio notification for the authorized supplier of the itembeing replaced on a speaker on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the pickup location identified by thedesignated pickup information.

4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisestransmitting a pickup notification message to an external wireless nodeonce the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the pickup location identified by thedesignated pickup information, the external wireless node being relatedto the authorized supplier of the item being replaced according to thedesignated pickup information.

5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step comprisestransmitting a pickup notification message to an external wireless nodeafter the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves from theorigin location, the external wireless node being related to theauthorized supplier of the item being replaced according to thedesignated pickup information.

6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the pickup notification messagecomprises one from a group consisting of a text message, an electronicmail message, and a phone call.

7. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the notifying step furthercomprises transmitting an arrival estimate to the external wirelessnode, the arrival estimate indicating an estimated time to arrive at thepickup location.

8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the notifying step furthercomprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        verification request to confirm pickup of the item being        replaced to the authorized supplier of the item being replaced,        the verification request asking for a responsive confirmation        that the item being replaced should be picked up by the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the designated pickup        location; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to continue moving to the        designated pickup location to complete the dispatched        consumer-to-store return logistics operation unless the        responsive confirmation from the authorized supplier indicated        that the item being replaced should not be picked up at that        designated pickup location.

9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving the returnoperation dispatch command from the dispatch server comprises receiving,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a return order assignmentmessage as the return operation dispatch command from a retail systemthat received the return transaction order for the item being replaced,wherein the retail system operating as the dispatch server.

10. The method of embodiment 9, wherein the designated pickupinformation related to the pickup of the item being replaced includes apickup time and pickup date as selected in the return transaction order.

11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises generating a log entry in acustodial inventory data structure when the item being replaced isdetected to be within the modular cargo storage system, the log entryreflecting receipt of the item being replaced within the modular cargostorage system.

12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   capturing sensor data from the one or more sensors on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the item being replaced is received within the        modular cargo storage system based upon the captured sensor        data.

13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the captured sensor datacomprises visual images of what is disposed within the modular cargostorage system.

14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   generating barcode scan data related to item being replaced as        the item being replaced is received within the modular cargo        storage system using a barcode scanner as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the        ordered item as the ordered item is placed within the modular        cargo storage system.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises:

generating image data related to item being replaced as the item beingreplaced is received within the modular cargo storage system using acamera as one of the one or more sensors;

-   -   processing the generated image data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storage        system.

16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   generating video data related to item being replaced as the item        being replaced is received within the modular cargo storage        system using a video camera as one of the one or more sensors;        and    -   processing the generated video data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storage        system.

17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   capturing audio data using a microphone as one of the one or        more sensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to        the modular cargo storage system as the item being replaced is        received within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   processing the captured audio data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storage        system.

18. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises detecting movement of a wirelessnode associated with the item being replaced as the item being replacedis received within the modular cargo storage system based upon aplurality of signals broadcast from the wireless node associated withthe item being replaced.

19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the item being replaced comprises detecting a change in location of awireless node associated with the item being replaced from outside themodular cargo storage system to inside the modular cargo storage systemas the item being replaced is received within the modular cargo storagesystem as determined by the modular mobile autonomous control module.

20. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a retailentity at the origin location of an approaching delivery for the itembeing replaced once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly iswithin a threshold notification range of the origin location.

21. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a retailentity at the origin location about delivery of the item being replacedafter the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly arrives at theorigin location.

22. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the authorizedsupplier about delivery of the item being replaced after the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly arrives at the origin location.

23. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location to thedesignated pickup location comprises autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the origin location to the designated pickup location whileinteracting with a wireless building facility node to actuate a pathwayobstacle disposed in a path on the route to the designated pickuplocation.

24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

25. The method of embodiment 23, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

26. The method of embodiment 23, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

27. The method of embodiment 23, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

28. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location to thedesignated pickup location comprises autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the origin location to the designated pickup location whileengaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedesignated pickup location using an articulating arm disposed on themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofsensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and themodular mobile autonomy control module.

29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

30. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

31. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

32. The method of embodiment 28, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

34. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the providing step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedcargo door disposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an openposition, where the actuated cargo door provides a seal to a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargodoor is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door provides accessto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in the open position.

35. The method of embodiment 34, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

36. The method of embodiment 34, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

37. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the providing step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedsliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to move theitem being replaced into the payload area within the modular cargostorage system.

38. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the providing step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedgrabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab andmove the item being replaced into the payload area within the modularcargo storage system as part of receiving the item being replaced.

39. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the providing step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedbelt surface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movablesupport surface exposed within a payload area inside the modular cargostorage system, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuatedto cause the item being replaced on the actuated belt surface to movewithin the payload area as part of receiving the item being replaced.

40. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the supplier authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module is providedby the return entity through a user input panel disposed on the modularautonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

41. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the supplier authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module comprisesan access code provided by the return entity through the user inputpanel disposed on the modular cargo storage system and operativelycoupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

42. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the supplier authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module comprises abiometric input provided by the return entity through the user inputpanel disposed on the modular cargo storage system and operativelycoupled to the modular mobile autonomy control module.

43. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the supplier authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module is providedby the return entity through an external wireless node disposed externalto the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the supplier authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module comprisesan access code provided by the return entity through the externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

45. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the supplier authenticationinput received by the modular mobile autonomy control module comprises abiometric input provided by the return entity through the externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

46. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the pickup authenticationinformation related to the dispatched consumer-to-store return logisticsoperation includes an identifier of the authorized supplier for the itembeing replaced as part of the dispatched consumer-to-store returnlogistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the supplier authentication input        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the supplier authentication input from            an external wireless node within a predetermined range of            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once the            modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at the            designated pickup location identified by the designated            pickup information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized supplier for the item being replaced within            the modular cargo storage system based upon the identifier            of the authorized supplier and identifier information within            the detected advertising signal broadcast from the external            wireless node.

47. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the pickup authenticationinformation related to the dispatched consumer-to-store return logisticsoperation includes an identifier of the authorized supplier for the itembeing replaced as part of the dispatched consumer-to-store returnlogistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the supplier authentication input        comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the designated pickup location            identified by the designated pickup information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched consumer-to-store return logistics operation.

48. A method of performing a dispatched swap logistics operation relatedto an item being replaced being swapped for a replacement item and usinga modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server, themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly having at least a modularmobility base propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly,a modular auxiliary power module providing power for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage systemconfigured to at least maintain the item being replaced within themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomycontrol module that autonomously controls operation of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly during the dispatched swap logisticsoperation, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a swap        operation dispatch command from the dispatch server, the swap        operation dispatch command comprising at least        -   identifier information on the item being replaced and            identifier information on the replacement item,        -   transport parameters on the item being replaced and the            replacement item,        -   designated pickup information related to swapping the item            being replaced for the replacement item, and        -   pickup authentication information related to an authorized            delivery recipient of replacement item;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched        swap logistics operation based upon the swap operation dispatch        command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the replacement        item in a payload area within the modular cargo storage system;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from an origin        location on a route to a designated swap location identified by        the designated pickup information;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized delivery recipient of the replacement item of an        approaching pickup for the item being replaced and delivery of        the replacement item once the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly is within a threshold notification range of the        designated swap location identified by the designated pickup        information;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly at the designated swap location;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the payload area within the modular cargo storage system only        when the delivery recipient authentication input received        correlates to the pickup authentication information indicating        that the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient of the        replacement item;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an        exchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the        modular cargo storage system with the item being replaced using        one or more sensors on at least one of the modular mobile        autonomy control module and the modular cargo storage system;        and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the designated        swap location on a return route to the origin location after the        item being replaced is detected to be within the modular cargo        storage system based upon the monitored loading of the item        being replaced.

49. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the item being replaced and thereplacement items are consumable items.

50. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the notifying step comprisesgenerating a display alert for the authorized delivery recipient of thereplacement item on a display on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the designated swap location identifiedby the designated pickup information.

51. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the notifying step comprisesgenerating an audio notification for the authorized delivery recipientof the replacement item on a speaker on the modular mobile autonomycontrol module once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly iswithin the threshold notification range of the designated swap locationidentified by the designated pickup information.

52. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the notifying step comprisestransmitting a delivery notification message to an external wirelessnode once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the designated swap location identifiedby the designated pickup information, the external wireless node beingrelated to the authorized delivery recipient of the replacement itemaccording to the designated pickup information.

53. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the notifying step comprisestransmitting a delivery notification message to an external wirelessnode after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves from theorigin location, the external wireless node being related to theauthorized delivery recipient of the replacement item according to thedesignated pickup information.

54. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the delivery notificationmessage comprises one from a group consisting of a text message, anelectronic mail message, and a phone call.

55. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the notifying step furthercomprises transmitting an arrival estimate to the external wirelessnode, the arrival estimate indicating an estimated time to arrive at thedesignated swap location.

56. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the notifying step furthercomprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        verification request to confirm pickup of the item being        replaced to the authorized delivery recipient of the replacement        item, the verification request asking for a responsive        confirmation that the item being replaced should be picked up by        the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the designated        swap location; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to continue moving to the        designated swap location to complete the dispatched swap        logistics operation unless the responsive confirmation from the        authorized delivery recipient indicates that the item being        replaced should not be picked up at the designated swap location

57. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the notifying step furthercomprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        verification request to confirm pickup of the item being        replaced to the authorized delivery recipient of the replacement        item, the verification request asking for a responsive        confirmation that the item being replaced should be picked up by        the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the designated        swap location; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to continue moving to the        designated swap location to complete the dispatched swap        logistics operation unless the responsive confirmation from the        authorized delivery recipient indicates that the replacement        item should not be delivered at the designated swap location.

58. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of receiving the swapoperation dispatch command from the dispatch server comprises receiving,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a replacement ordermessage as the swap operation dispatch command from a retail system thatreceived a swap transaction order for the replacement item, wherein theretail system operating as the dispatch server.

59. The method of embodiment 58, wherein designated pickup informationrelated to swapping the item being replaced for the replacement itemincludes a delivery time and delivery date as selected in the swaptransaction order.

60. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises the stepsof:

-   -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading of the replacement item from the payload area of the        modular cargo storage system using the one or more sensors on at        least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        loading of the item being replaced into the modular cargo        storage system using the one or more sensors as the item being        replaced is received into the payload area of the modular cargo        storage system.

61. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises generating alog entry in a custodial inventory data structure when the replacementitem is detected to be removed from the modular cargo storage system andthe item being replaced is detected to be within the modular cargostorage system, the log entry reflecting the exchange of the replacementitem for the item being replacement.

62. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   capturing sensor data from the one or more sensors on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the replacement item is removed from the modular        cargo storage system and when the item being replaced is        received within the modular cargo storage system based upon the        captured sensor data.

63. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the captured sensor datacomprises visual images of what is disposed within the modular cargostorage system.

64. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   generating barcode scan data related to the item being replaced        and the replacement item as the item being replaced is swapped        in for the replacement item that is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system using a barcode scanner as one of        the one or more sensors; and    -   processing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the item        being replaced and the replacement item as the item being        replaced is swapped in for the replacement item that is removed        from within the modular cargo storage system.

65. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   generating image data related to item being replaced and the        replacement item as the item being replaced is swapped in for        the replacement item that is removed from within the modular        cargo storage system using a camera as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated image data to monitor the item being        replaced and the replacement item as the item being replaced is        swapped in for the replacement item that is removed from within        the modular cargo storage system.

66. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   generating video data related to item being replaced and the        replacement item as the item being replaced is swapped in for        the replacement item that is removed from within the modular        cargo storage system using a video camera as one of the one or        more sensors;

and

-   -   processing the generated video data to monitor the item being        replaced and the replacement item as the item being replaced is        swapped in for the replacement item that is removed from within        the modular cargo storage system.

67. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises:

-   -   capturing audio data using a microphone as one of the one or        more sensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to        the modular cargo storage system as the item being replaced is        swapped in for the replacement item that is removed from within        the modular cargo storage system; and    -   processing the captured audio data to monitor the item being        replaced and the replacement item as the item being replaced is        swapped in for the replacement item that is removed from within        the modular cargo storage system.

68. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises detectingmovement of a wireless node associated with the item being replaced asthe item being replaced is swapped in for the replacement item beingremoved from within the modular cargo storage system based upon aplurality of signals broadcast from the wireless node associated withthe item being replaced.

69. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises detectingmovement of a wireless node associated with the replacement item as thereplacement item is swapped out from within the modular cargo storagesystem for the item being replaced based upon a plurality of signalsbroadcast from the wireless node associated with replacement item.

70. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises detecting achange in location of a wireless node associated with the item beingreplaced from a location outside the modular cargo storage system to thepayload area inside the modular cargo storage system as the item beingreplaced is swapped for the replacement item that is removed from withinthe modular cargo storage system as determined by the modular mobileautonomous control module.

71. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of monitoring theexchange of the replacement item from the payload area of the modularcargo storage system with the item being replaced comprises detecting achange in location of a wireless node associated with the replacementitem from inside the modular cargo storage system to outside the modularcargo storage system as the item being replaced is swapped in for thereplacement item that is removed from within the modular cargo storagesystem as determined by the modular mobile autonomous control module.

72. The method of embodiment 48 further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a retailentity at the origin location of an approaching return delivery of theitem being replaced once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyis within a threshold notification range of the origin location.

73. The method of embodiment 48, further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a retailentity at the origin location about delivery of the item being replacedafter the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly arrives at theorigin location.

74. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the origin location tothe designated swap location comprises autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the origin location to the designated swap location whileinteracting with a wireless building facility node to actuate a pathwayobstacle disposed in a path on the route to the designated swaplocation.

75. The method of embodiment 74, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

76. The method of embodiment 74, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

77. The method of embodiment 74, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

78. The method of embodiment 74, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched swap logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

79. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the step of autonomouslycausing the modular mobility base to move from the origin location tothe designated swap location comprises autonomously causing, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the origin location to the designated swap location whileengaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedesignated swap location using an articulating arm disposed on themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofsensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and themodular mobile autonomy control module.

80. The method of embodiment 79, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

81. The method of embodiment 79, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

82. The method of embodiment 79, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

83. The method of embodiment 79, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and the sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

84. The method of embodiment 83, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

85. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the receiving step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedcargo door disposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an openposition, where the actuated cargo door provides a seal to the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargodoor is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door provides accessto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in the open position.

86. The method of embodiment 85, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

87. The method of embodiment 85, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

88. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the receiving step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedsliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to move theitem being replaced into the payload area within the modular cargostorage system.

89. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the receiving step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedgrabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab andmove the item being replaced into the payload area within the modularcargo storage system as part of receiving the item being replaced.

90. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the receiving step comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedbelt surface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movablesupport surface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargostorage system, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuatedto cause the item being replaced as placed on the actuated belt surfaceto move within the payload area as part of receiving the item beingreplaced.

91. The method of embodiment 48 further comprising, after the providingstep, unloading, by the modular cargo storage system, the replacementitem from within the payload area of the modular cargo storage systemand loading the item being replaced into the payload area within themodular cargo storage system.

92. The method of embodiment 91, wherein each of the steps of unloadingthe replacement item and loading the item being replaced comprisesactuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an actuatedcargo door disposed on the modular auxiliary power module to an openposition once the delivery recipient authentication input correlates toa portion of the pickup authentication information related to thedispatched swap logistics operation, wherein the actuated cargo doorprovides a seal to the payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem when the actuated cargo door is in a closed position and theactuated cargo door provides access to the payload area within themodular cargo storage system when the actuated cargo door is in the openposition.

93. The method of embodiment 92, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

94. The method of embodiment 92, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

95. The method of embodiment 91, wherein the step of unloading thereplacement item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to move the replacement item out from the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system.

96. The method of embodiment 91, wherein the step of loading the itembeing replaced comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to move the item being replaced into the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system.

97. The method of embodiment 91, wherein the step of unloading thereplacement item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to grab and move the replacement item out from thepayload area within the modular cargo storage system.

98. The method of embodiment 91, wherein the step of loading the itembeing replaced comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to move the item being replaced into the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system.

99. The method of embodiment 91, wherein the step of unloading thereplacement item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated belt surface disposed on the modularauxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposed within thepayload area inside the modular cargo storage system, the actuated beltsurface being operative when actuated to cause the replacement item asplaced on the actuated belt surface to move out from within the payloadarea.

100. The method of embodiment 91, wherein the step of loading the itembeing replaced comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated belt surface disposed on the modularauxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposed within thepayload area inside the modular cargo storage system, the actuated beltsurface being operative when actuated to cause the item being replacedas placed on the actuated belt surface to move into the payload area.

101. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

102. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

103. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

104. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

105. The method of embodiment 104, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

106. The method of embodiment 104, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

107. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the pickup authenticationinformation related to the dispatched swap logistics operation includesan identifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the replacementitem as part of the dispatched swap logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the designated swap location identified by the designated            pickup information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the item being            replaced within the modular cargo storage system based upon            the identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

108. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the pickup authenticationinformation related to the dispatched swap logistics operation includesan identifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the replacementitem as part of the dispatched swap logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the designated swap location            identified by the designated pickup information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched swap logistics operation.

109. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the designated swap locationcomprises a fixed address where the authorized delivery recipientreceives the replacement item and provides the item being replacedwithin the mobile cargo storage system as part of dispatched swaplogistics operation.

110. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the designated swap locationcomprises a mobile location where the authorized delivery recipientreceives the replacement item and provides the item being replacedwithin the mobile cargo storage system as part of dispatched swaplogistics operation, wherein the mobile location being defined by thedesignated pickup information as a location of an external wirelessmobile node being related to the authorized delivery recipient.

111. The method of embodiment 107, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an unloadassistance request to the retail entity once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of theorigin location.

112. The method of embodiment 108, further comprising the step oftransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an unloadassistance request to the retail entity after the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly arrives at the origin location.

Further Embodiment K—Methods of Performing a Dispatched MedicalLogistics Operation Related to a Diagnosis Kit for Treating a Patientand Using a Modular Autonomous Bot Apparatus Assembly and a DispatchServer

1. A method of performing a dispatched medical logistics operationrelated to a diagnosis kit for treating a patient and using a modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server, the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly having at least a modular mobilitybase propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modularauxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to atleast temporarily maintain the diagnosis kit within the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy controlmodule that autonomously controls operation of the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly during the dispatched medical logisticsoperation, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command        initiated by a medical entity providing the diagnosis kit, the        dispatch command comprising at least        -   identifier information on the diagnosis kit,        -   transport parameters on the diagnosis kit,        -   destination delivery information related to delivery of the            diagnosis kit, and        -   delivery authentication information related to an authorized            delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched        medical logistics operation based upon the dispatch command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the diagnosis        kit in a payload area within the modular cargo storage system at        an origin location related to the medical entity;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the origin        location on a route to a destination location identified by the        destination delivery information;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of an        approaching delivery once the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly is within a threshold notification range of the        destination location identified by the destination information;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly at the destination location;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the diagnosis kit within the modular cargo storage system        only when the delivery recipient authentication input correlates        to the delivery authentication information indicating that the        delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading of the diagnosis kit from within the modular cargo        storage system using one or more sensors on at least one of the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo        storage system;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of        instructional information related to prescribed use of the        diagnosis kit;    -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, when        at least a return item related to the diagnosis kit is located        in the payload area of the modular cargo storage system using        the one or more sensors;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location on a return route to the origin location after the        return item related to the diagnosis kit is detected within the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        personnel associated with the medical entity about a return        delivery of the return item related to the diagnosis kit when        the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is at least within        a return notification range of the origin location.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authorized delivery recipientis the patient to be treated with the diagnosis kit.

3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authorized delivery recipientis an authorized agent of the patient to be treated with the diagnosiskit.

4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the approachingdelivery comprises generating a display alert for the authorizeddelivery recipient on a display on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information.

5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the approachingdelivery comprises generating an audio notification for the authorizeddelivery recipient on a speaker on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information.

6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the approachingdelivery comprises transmitting a delivery notification message to anexternal wireless node once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within the threshold notification range of the destinationlocation identified by the destination information, the externalwireless node being related to the authorized delivery recipientaccording to the destination delivery information.

7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the approachingdelivery comprises transmitting a delivery notification message to anexternal wireless node after the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly moves from the origin location, the external wireless nodebeing related to the authorized delivery recipient according to thedestination delivery information.

8. The method of embodiment 6, the step of notifying the authorizeddelivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the approaching deliveryfurther comprises transmitting an arrival estimate to the externalwireless node, the arrival estimate indicating an estimated time toarrive at the destination location.

9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the diagnosis kit comprises:

-   -   capturing sensor data from the one or more sensors on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the diagnosis kit is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system based upon the captured sensor        data.

10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the diagnosis kit comprises:

-   -   generating barcode scan data related to the diagnosis kit as the        diagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage        system using a barcode scanner as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the        diagnosis kit as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system.

11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the diagnosis kit comprises:

-   -   generating image data related to the diagnosis kit as the        diagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage        system using an image sensor as one of the one or more sensors;        and    -   processing the generated image data to monitor the diagnosis kit        as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system.

12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the diagnosis kit comprises:

-   -   generating video data related to the diagnosis kit as the        diagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo storage        system using a video camera as one of the one or more sensors;        and    -   processing the generated video data to monitor the diagnosis kit        as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system.

13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the diagnosis kit comprises:

-   -   capturing audio using a microphone as one of the one or more        sensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to the        modular cargo storage system as the diagnosis kit is removed        from within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   processing the captured audio data to monitor the diagnosis kit        as the diagnosis kit is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system.

14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the diagnosis kit includes awireless mobile node; and

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring unloading of the diagnosis kit        comprises detecting movement of the wireless mobile node        disposed with the diagnosis kit as the diagnosis kit is removed        from within the modular cargo storage system based upon a        plurality of signals broadcast from the wireless mobile node        disposed with the diagnosis kit.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the diagnosis kit includes awireless mobile node; and

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring unloading of the diagnosis kit        comprises detecting a change in location of the wireless mobile        node disposed with the diagnosis kit to outside the modular        cargo storage system as the diagnosis kit is removed from within        the modular cargo storage system as determined by the modular        mobile autonomous control module.

16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of detecting when atleast the return item related to the diagnosis kit is located in thepayload area of the modular cargo storage system comprises monitoring,by the modular mobile autonomy control module, loading of the returnitem related to the diagnosis kit from within the modular cargo storagesystem using the one or more sensors.

17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the return item comprises:

-   -   generating barcode scan data related to the return item as the        return item is placed within the modular cargo storage system        using a barcode scanner as one of the one or more sensors; and    -   processing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the return        item as the return item is placed within the modular cargo        storage system.

18. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the return item comprises:

-   -   generating image data related to the return item as the return        item is placed within the modular cargo storage system using an        image sensor as one of the one or more sensors; and    -   processing the generated image data to monitor the return item        as the return item is placed within the modular cargo storage        system.

19. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the return item comprises:

-   -   generating video data related to the return item as the return        item is placed within the modular cargo storage system using a        video camera as one of the one or more sensors; and    -   processing the generated video data to monitor the return item        as the return item is placed within the modular cargo storage        system.

20. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the step of monitoring loadingof the return item comprises:

-   -   capturing audio data using a microphone as one of the one or        more sensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to        the modular cargo storage system as the return item is placed        within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   processing the captured audio data to monitor the ordered item        as the ordered item is placed within the modular cargo storage        system.

21. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the return item related to thediagnosis kit includes a wireless mobile node; and

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring loading of the return item        comprises detecting movement of the wireless mobile node        disposed with the return item as the return item is placed        within the modular cargo storage system based upon a plurality        of signals broadcast from the wireless mobile node disposed with        the return item.

22. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the return item related to thediagnosis kit includes a wireless mobile node; and

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring loading of the return item        comprises detecting a change in location of the wireless mobile        node disposed with the return item to outside the modular cargo        storage system as the return item is placed within the modular        cargo storage system as determined by the modular mobile        autonomous control module.

23. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the return item comprises one ormore parts of the diagnosis kit used by the patient.

24. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the return item comprises atesting part of the diagnosis kit used by the patient as part of amedical test.

25. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the testing part of thediagnosis kit used by the patient as part of the medical test comprisesa sample from the patient gathered according to the instructionalinformation related to the prescribed use of the diagnosis kit, thesample being part of the return item transported by the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly back to the origin location foranalysis by the medical entity.

26. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a firstinventory data structure corresponding to the diagnosis kit and storedon the modular mobile autonomy control module upon detecting thediagnosis kit as received within the payload area, wherein the firstinventory data structure including a first chain of custody entryreflecting departure from the origin location for the diagnosis kitwhile in the custody of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

27. The method of embodiment 26, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a secondchain of custody entry within the first inventory data structure afterarrival at the destination location, the second chain of custodyreflecting arrival at the destination location for delivery of thediagnosis kit from the custody of the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

28. The method of embodiment 27, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a third chainof custody entry within the first inventory data structure after arrivalat the destination location and after detecting the diagnosis kit hasbeen removed from within the modular cargo storage system, the thirdchain of custody reflecting the diagnosis kit changing custody to theauthorized delivery recipient from the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

29. The method of embodiment 28, further comprising the step ofgenerating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a fourthchain of custody entry within the first inventory data structure afterarrival at the destination location and after detecting the return itemhas been placed within the modular cargo storage system, the fourthchain of custody reflecting at least the return item of the diagnosiskit changing custody from the authorized delivery recipient to themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

30. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the instructionalinformation comprises generating a display alert message for theauthorized delivery recipient on a display on the modular mobileautonomy control module, the display alert message including theinstructional information related to the prescribed use of the diagnosiskit.

31. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the instructionalinformation comprises generating an audio alert message for theauthorized delivery recipient using a speaker on the modular mobileautonomy control module, the audio alert message including the audibleinstructions as the instructional information related to the prescribeduse of the diagnosis kit.

32. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the diagnosis kit of the instructionalinformation comprises transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an instructional message to an external wireless noderelated to the authorized delivery recipient according to thedestination delivery information, the instructional message reflectingthe instructional information related to the prescribed use of thediagnosis kit.

33. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the personnelassociated with the medical entity about the return delivery of thereturn item related to the diagnosis kit once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly has arrived at the origin location.

34. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising providing, by themodular cargo storage system, selective access to the return item withinthe modular cargo storage system when medical entity personnel submitsreturn item authentication input to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule that correlates to a portion of the delivery authenticationinformation indicating return item authentication information for thereturn item.

35. The method of embodiment 34, further comprising monitoring, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, unloading of the return itemfrom within the modular cargo storage system using the one or moresensors.

36. The method of embodiment 35, further comprising autonomouslycausing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modularmobility base to move to a bot storage location after the return item isdetected as being removed from within the payload area of the modularcargo storage system using the one or more sensors.

37. The method of embodiment 35, further comprising transmitting, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, a module replacement request tothe dispatch server, the modular replacement request initiating areplacement of the modular cargo storage system for the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

38. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the modular replacement requestfurther initiating a disinfection process of the modular cargo storagesystem after the return item has been removed from within the payloadarea of the modular cargo storage system.

39. The method of embodiment 35, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        follow-up dispatch command from the dispatch server for a        follow-up dispatched medical logistics operation, the follow-up        dispatch command initiated by the medical entity after testing        related to the return item and the patient, the follow-up        dispatch command comprising at least        -   identifier information on treatment material to be delivered            to the authorized delivery recipient as a result of the            testing related to the return item and the patient,        -   transport parameters on the treatment material, and        -   destination delivery information related to delivery of the            treatment material;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and a        disinfected replacement for the modular cargo storage system are        compatible with the follow-up dispatched medical logistics        operation based upon the follow-up dispatch command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the treatment        material in the payload area within the disinfected replacement        for the modular cargo storage system at the origin location        related to the medical entity;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the origin        location to the destination location identified by the        destination delivery information;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized delivery recipient an approaching delivery of the        treatment material;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from the delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly at the destination location;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the treatment material within the modular cargo storage        system only when the delivery recipient authentication input        correlates to the delivery authentication information indicating        that the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading of the treatment material using one or more sensors on        at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the disinfected replacement for the modular cargo storage        system;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location to the origin location after the treatment material is        no longer detected within the payload area within the        disinfected replacement for the modular cargo storage system.

40. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location to thedestination location comprises autonomously causing, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move fromthe origin location to the destination location while interacting with awireless building facility node to actuate a pathway obstacle disposedin a path on the route to the destination location.

41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

42. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

43. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

44. The method of embodiment 40, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

45. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the origin location to thedestination location comprises autonomously causing, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move fromthe origin location to the destination location while engaging a pathwayobstacle disposed in a path on the route to the destination locationusing an articulating arm disposed on the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly and using a plurality of sensors disposed on at leastone of the modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

46. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

47. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

48. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

49. The method of embodiment 45, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

50. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

51. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thediagnosis kit comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated cargo door disposed on the modular auxiliarypower module to an open position, where the actuated cargo door providesa seal to the payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargodoor provides access to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in the open position.

52. The method of embodiment 51, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

53. The method of embodiment 51, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

54. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thediagnosis kit comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to move the diagnosis kit into the payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system.

55. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thediagnosis kit comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to grab and move the diagnosis kit into the payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system as part of receiving thediagnosis kit.

56. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thediagnosis kit comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated belt surface disposed on the modularauxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposed within thepayload area inside the modular cargo storage system, the actuated beltsurface being operative when actuated to cause the diagnosis kit asplaced on the actuated belt surface to move within the payload area aspart of receiving the diagnosis kit.

57. The method of embodiment 1, wherein unloading of the diagnosis kitcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated cargo door disposed on the modular auxiliary power module to anopen position once the delivery recipient authentication inputcorrelates to a portion of the authentication information related to thedispatched logistics operation, wherein the actuated cargo door providesa seal to the payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargodoor provides access to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in the open position.

58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

59. The method of embodiment 57, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

60. The method of embodiment 1, wherein unloading of the diagnosis kitcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tomove the diagnosis kit out from the payload area within the modularcargo storage system.

61. The method of embodiment 1, wherein unloading of the diagnosis kitcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargo storage system tograb and move the diagnosis kit out from the payload area within themodular cargo storage system.

62. The method of embodiment 1, wherein unloading of the diagnosis kitcomprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, anactuated belt surface disposed on the modular auxiliary power module asa movable support surface exposed within the payload area inside themodular cargo storage system, the actuated belt surface being operativewhen actuated to cause the diagnosis kit as placed on the actuated beltsurface to move out from within the payload area.

63. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising receiving, by themodular cargo storage system, the return item related to the diagnosiskit in the payload area within the modular cargo storage system at thedestination location.

64. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the step of receiving thereturn item related to the diagnosis kit comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding arm disposedon the modular cargo storage system to move the return item related tothe diagnosis kit into the payload area within the modular cargo storagesystem.

65. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the step of receiving thereturn item related to the diagnosis kit comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing armdisposed on the modular cargo storage system to grab and move the returnitem related to the diagnosis kit into the payload area within themodular cargo storage system as part of receiving the return itemrelated to the diagnosis kit.

66. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the step of receiving thereturn item related to the diagnosis kit comprises actuating, by themodular mobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surfacedisposed on the modular auxiliary power module as a movable supportsurface exposed within the payload area inside the modular cargo storagesystem, the actuated belt surface being operative when actuated to causethe return item related to the diagnosis kit as placed on the actuatedbelt surface to move within the payload area as part of receiving thereturn item related to the diagnosis kit.

67. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

68. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

69. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

70. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

71. The method of embodiment 70, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

72. The method of embodiment 70, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

73. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched medical logistics operation includes anidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the diagnosis kit aspart of the dispatched medical logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

74. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched medical logistics operation includes anidentifier of the authorized delivery recipient for the diagnosis kit aspart of the dispatched medical logistics operation; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched inventory operation.

Further Embodiment L—Apparatus and Systems of a Modular Autonomous CartApparatus Assembly for Transporting an Item Being Shipped

1. A modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly for transporting an itembeing shipped, comprising:

-   -   a modular mobility base comprising        -   a mobile base platform,        -   a mobility controller disposed as part of the mobile base            platform,        -   a propulsion system connected to the mobile base platform,            the propulsion system being responsive to a propulsion            control input from the mobility controller to cause changes            in speed of the modular mobility base,        -   a steering system connected to the mobile base platform and            coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system            responsive to a steering control input from the mobility            controller and operative to cause changes to directional            movement of the modular mobility base,        -   a plurality of mobility base sensors coupled to the mobility            controller and disposed on the mobile base platform, the            mobility base sensors being operative to autonomously detect            an object in the path of the modular mobility base and            provide base feedback sensor data to the mobility controller            on the detected object, and        -   a first interface to a common modular component power and            data transport bus, the first interface providing a power            conduit for the modular mobility base and a command and data            interface conduit for at least the mobility controller;    -   a modular cart handle detachably mounted to the modular mobility        base, the modular cart handle comprising        -   a handle base having a first end and a second end, wherein            the first end is detachably connected to the modular            mobility base,        -   a handle grip disposed on the handle base,        -   a handle seat disposed on the second end of the handle base,        -   an actuated set of latches disposed on the handle top seat,            and        -   a second interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the second interface providing a power            conduit through the modular cart handle and a command and            data interface conduit through the modular cart handle; and    -   a modular mobile cart autonomy control module detachably        attached to the modular handle, the modular mobile cart autonomy        control module comprising        -   a detachable modular housing detachably connected to the            handle top seat,        -   a plurality of latching points disposed on the detachable            modular housing, the latching points configured to interlock            with the actuated set of latches disposed on the handle top            seat,        -   an autonomous controller disposed within the detachable            modular housing,        -   at least one display disposed on the detachable modular            housing, wherein the display being operatively coupled to            the autonomous controller,        -   a user input panel disposed on the detachable modular            housing, the user input panel being operatively coupled to            the autonomous controller, the user input panel receiving            localized input to supplement autonomous operation of the            modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly,        -   a wireless radio transceiver operatively coupled to the            autonomous controller,        -   a plurality of autonomy module sensors disposed on the            detachable modular housing and operatively coupled to the            autonomous controller, wherein the autonomy module sensors            being operative to generate onboard sensor data on an            environment external to the modular mobile cart autonomy            control module as detected by the autonomy module sensors            and providing the onboard sensor data to the autonomous            controller, and        -   a third interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus, the third interface providing a power            conduit for the modular mobile cart autonomy control module            and a command and data interface conduit for the modular            mobile cart autonomy control module, wherein the command and            data interface conduit is operatively coupled to at least            the autonomous controller; and        -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart            autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and            configured to be operative to at least            -   (a) detect, using the wireless radio transceiver, an                advertising signal from a wireless mobile courier node;            -   (b) generate association data that establishes and                reflects a secure association between the wireless                mobile courier node and the modular mobile cart autonomy                control module after detecting the advertising signal                from the wireless mobile courier node, the secure                association between the wireless mobile courier node and                the modular mobile cart autonomy control module allowing                secure sharing of information between the wireless                mobile courier node and the modular mobile cart autonomy                control module;            -   (c) determine a current location of the wireless mobile                courier node;            -   (d) determine a current location of the modular                autonomous cart apparatus assembly;            -   (e) receive information from the mobility controller                through the common modular component power and data                transport bus, the received information being about the                base feedback sensor data;            -   (f) receive the onboard sensor data from the autonomy                module sensors;            -   (g) generate a steering control command and a propulsion                control command based at least upon the current location                of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly, the                current location of the wireless mobile courier node,                the received information on the base feedback sensor                data from the mobility controller, and the onboard                sensor data as received by the autonomous controller                from the autonomy module sensors;            -   (h) transmit the steering control command and the                propulsion control command through the common modular                component power and data transport bus for receipt by                the mobility controller; and            -   (i) repeat functions (c)-(h) to autonomously track and                follow the current location of the wireless mobile                courier node as the wireless mobile courier node moves                and while maintaining a predetermined follow distance                from the current location of the wireless mobile courier                node.

2. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to:

-   -   generate a predicted path of movement for the wireless mobile        courier node based upon a destination location maintained by the        modular mobile cart autonomy control module; and    -   generate the steering control command and the propulsion control        command based at least upon the location data from the location        circuitry, the received information on the base feedback sensor        data from the mobility controller, the onboard sensor data as        received by the autonomous controller from the autonomy module        sensors, and the determined location of the wireless mobile        courier node.

3. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to determine the current location of the wireless mobilecourier node by receiving a location message from the wireless mobilecourier node, the location message providing the current location of thewireless mobile courier node.

4. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobile cart autonomy control module furthercomprises location circuitry disposed within the detachable modularhousing, the location circuitry being operatively coupled to theautonomous controller, the location circuitry generating location dataon the current location of the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly and providing the location data to the autonomous controller.

5. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the wireless mobile courier node comprises a master node withonboard location circuitry that identifies the current location of thewireless mobile courier node.

6. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the wireless mobile courier node comprises a master nodetraveling with courier personnel delivering the item being shipped,wherein the master node includes onboard location circuitry thatidentifies the current location of the wireless mobile courier node.

7. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the wireless mobile courier node comprises a master nodedisposed on a vehicle transporting courier personnel tasked withdelivering the item being shipped, wherein the master node includesonboard location circuitry that identifies the current location of thewireless mobile courier node.

8. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the wireless mobile courier node comprises a master nodedisposed on a second modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly, themaster node operating as the modular mobile cart autonomy control moduleon the second modular autonomous cart apparatus, wherein the master nodeincludes onboard location circuitry that identifies the current locationof the wireless mobile courier node.

9. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein one or more of the autonomy modular sensors are mounted on thedetachable modular housing so as to be focused and operative to monitora payload area on the mobility base platform where the item beingshipped is supported when the modular mobility base is moving.

10. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the item being shipped comprises a wireless ID node with theitem being shipped, the wireless ID node maintaining shippinginformation on the item being shipped including at least identifierinformation on the item being shipped, recipient information on the itembeing shipped, and destination information on the item being shipped;and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart        autonomy control module is further programmatically adapted and        configured to be operative to generate association data that        establishes and reflects a secure association between the        wireless ID node and the modular mobile cart autonomy control        module after detecting an advertising signal from the wireless        ID node, the secure association between the wireless ID node and        the modular mobile cart autonomy control module allowing secure        sharing of at least the shipping information between the        wireless ID node and the modular mobile cart autonomy control        module.

11. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 10,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate a delivery notification in response to receivingat least a portion of the shipping information from the wireless IDnode.

12. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 11,wherein the delivery notification comprises a delivery locationinformation notification indicating the destination information on theitem being shipped and the identifier information on the item beingshipped.

13. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 12,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to trigger generation of the delivery notification when thecurrent location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly iswithin a threshold distance from a delivery location indicated by thedestination information.

14. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 11,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate the delivery notification by being furtheroperative to generate a delivery warning on the at least one displaydisposed on the detachable modular housing, the delivery warningidentifying the item being shipped based upon the shipping information,the delivery warning also indicating the destination information on theitem being shipped.

15. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 11,wherein the modular mobile cart autonomy control module furthercomprises a speaker disposed on the detachable modular housing andoperatively coupled to the autonomous controller; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart        autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and        configured to be operative to generate the delivery notification        by being further operative to generate an audible delivery        warning through the speaker disposed on the detachable modular        housing, the audible delivery warning identifying the item being        shipped based upon the shipping information, the audible        delivery warning also indicating the destination information on        the item being shipped.

16. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 11,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate the delivery notification by being furtheroperative to wirelessly notify the wireless mobile courier node with thedelivery notification.

17. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 16,wherein the delivery notification comprises a delivery locationinformation notification indicating the destination information on theitem being shipped and the identifier information on the item beingshipped.

18. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 17,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to trigger generation of the delivery notification and thewireless notification of the wireless mobile courier node when thecurrent location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly iswithin a threshold distance from a delivery location indicated by thedestination information.

19. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to (i) repeat functions (c)-(h) to autonomously track andfollow the current location of the wireless mobile courier node as thewireless mobile courier node moves and while maintaining thepredetermined follow distance from the current location of the wirelessmobile courier node until the autonomy controller receives a deliverycontrol input, the delivery control input activating a hover mode forthe modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly that temporarily haltsmovement of the modular mobility base that autonomously tracks andfollows the current location of the wireless mobile courier node.

20. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 19,wherein the delivery control input comprises a wireless delivery controlinput from the wireless mobile courier node.

21. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 19,wherein the modular mobile cart autonomy control module furthercomprises a user input panel disposed on the detachable modular housing,the user input panel being operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller and configured to generate the delivery control input basedupon manual input received at the user input panel.

22. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 19,wherein the delivery control input comprises a gesture control inputreceived through at least one from the autonomy module sensors and themobility base sensors.

23. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 22,wherein the at least one from the autonomy module sensors and themobility base sensors comprises a scanning sensor operative to generatescanning sensor data representing a halt hand gesture from an operatorof the wireless mobile courier node.

24. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 19,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to resume, in response to receiving a resume control inputthat deactivates the hover mode repeating, functions (c)-(h) toautonomously track and follow the current location of the wirelessmobile courier node as the wireless mobile courier node moves and whilemaintaining the predetermined follow distance from the current locationof the wireless mobile courier node.

25. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 24,wherein the resume control input comprises a wireless delivery controlinput from the wireless mobile courier node.

26. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 24,wherein the modular mobile cart autonomy control module furthercomprises a user input panel disposed on the detachable modular housing,the user input panel being operatively coupled to the autonomouscontroller and configured to generate the resume control input basedupon manual input received at the user input panel.

27. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 24,wherein the resume control input comprises a gesture control inputreceived through at least one from the autonomy module sensors and themobility base sensors.

28. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 27,wherein the at least one from the autonomy module sensors and themobility base sensors comprises a scanning sensor operative to generatescanning sensor data representing a resume hand gesture from an operatorof the wireless mobile courier node.

29. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular cart handle further comprises a localized guidanceinput detector disposed on the handle grip and operatively coupled tothe autonomy controller through the second interface of the modular carthandle, the localized guidance input detector sensing external contactwith local personnel as an override control input for the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart        autonomy control module is further programmatically adapted and        configured to be operative to, in response to receiving the        override control input from the localized guidance input        detector, to generate the steering control command and the        propulsion control command based at least upon the sensed        external contact with the local personnel to provide        power-assisted movement of the modular mobility base at the        direction of the local personnel.

30. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 29,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to, in response to receiving the override control input fromthe localized guidance input detector, to generate the steering controlcommand and the propulsion control command based at least upon thesensed external contact with the local personnel to providepower-assisted movement of the modular mobility base at the direction ofthe local personnel, the received information on the base feedbacksensor data from the mobility controller, and the onboard sensor data asreceived by the autonomous controller from the autonomy module sensorsso as to provide the power-assisted movement of the modular mobilitybase at the direction of the local personnel while avoiding the objectin the path of the modular mobility base using the received informationon the base feedback sensor data and the onboard sensor data.

31. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 30,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to alter at least one of the steering control command and thepropulsion control command in response to detecting the object in thepath of the modular mobility base.

32. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 29,wherein at least one of the base feedback sensor data and the onboardsensor data includes proximity sensor data related to the object in thepath of the modular mobility base being avoided by at least one of thesteering control command and the propulsion control command.

33. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 29,wherein at least one of the base feedback sensor data and the onboardsensor data includes visual sensor data related to an image of theobject in the path of the modular mobility base being avoided by atleast one of the steering control command and the propulsion controlcommand.

34. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 33,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to alter at least one of the steering control command and thepropulsion control command to avoid the object in the path of themodular mobility base when the image of the object in the path of themodular mobility base is identified as being in a class of pathwayobjects to be avoided.

35. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 34,wherein the class of pathway objects to be avoided comprises at leastone from the group consisting of a predetermined class of hazardousobjects, a predetermined class of symbols, and a predetermined class ofsigns.

36. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module maintains a location limitation profile identifying oneor more restricted locations for the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly to avoid; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart        autonomy control module is further programmatically adapted and        configured to be operative to (g) generate the steering control        command and the propulsion control command based at least upon        the current location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus        assembly, the current location of the wireless mobile courier        node, the received information on the base feedback sensor data        from the mobility controller, the onboard sensor data as        received by the autonomous controller from the autonomy module        sensors, and the one or more restricted locations as identified        in the location limitation profile.

37. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to receive, using the wireless radio transceiver, the locationlimitation profile from a remote service networked device.

38. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller maintains context data related toprior movement of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly; and

-   -   wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart        autonomy control module is further programmatically adapted and        configured to repeat functions (c)-(h) to autonomously track and        follow the current location of the wireless mobile courier node        as the wireless mobile courier node moves and while maintaining        the predetermined follow distance from the current location of        the wireless mobile courier node based also upon the context        data related to prior movements of the modular autonomous cart        apparatus assembly.

39. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 38,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is programmatically adapted and configured to performfunction (g) by being further programmatically adapted and configured togenerate the steering control command and the propulsion control commandbased at least upon the current location of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly, the current location of the wireless mobile couriernode, the received information on the base feedback sensor data from themobility controller, the onboard sensor data as received by theautonomous controller from the autonomy module sensors, and the contextdata related to prior movements of the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly.

40. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 38,wherein the modular mobile cart autonomy control module furthercomprises:

-   -   a memory coupled to the autonomous controller, the memory        maintaining at least the context data; and    -   location circuitry disposed within the detachable modular        housing, the location circuitry being operatively coupled to the        autonomous controller, the location circuitry generating        location data on the current location of the modular autonomous        cart apparatus assembly and providing the location data to the        autonomous controller; and    -   wherein the context data comprises historic data related to        prior movement of the modular mobility base at one or more        locations within a range distance from the current location of        the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

41. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 40,wherein the historic data comprises historic pathway obstacle dataindicating at least one identified pathway obstacle within the rangedistance from the current location of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly, the historic pathway obstacle data being based uponpreviously processed onboard sensor data, previously processed basefeedback sensor data, and previously processed location data on theprior location of the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

42. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 40,wherein the historic data comprises historic building data indicating atleast one identified building feature disposed external to the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly where the identified building featureis within the range distance from the current location of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly, the historic building data beingbased upon previously processed onboard sensor data, previouslyprocessed base feedback sensor data, and previously processed locationdata on the prior location of the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly.

43. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 40,wherein the historic data comprises historic origin location contextdata indicating at least one identified origin location environmentfeature disposed external to the modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly where the identified origin location environment feature iswithin the range distance from the current location of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly, the historic origin location contextdata being based upon previously processed onboard sensor data,previously processed base feedback sensor data, and previously processedlocation data on the prior location of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly.

44. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 40,wherein the historic data comprises historic destination locationcontext data indicating at least one identified destination locationenvironment feature disposed external to the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly where the identified destination location environmentfeature is within the range distance from the current location of themodular autonomous cart apparatus assembly, the historic destinationlocation context data being based upon previously processed onboardsensor data, previously processed base feedback sensor data, andpreviously processed location data on the prior location of the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly.

45. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to:

-   -   (j) detect, using the wireless radio transceiver, a first        wireless facility node; and    -   (k) repeat functions (c)-(i) using the first wireless building        facility node as the wireless mobile courier node.

46. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 45,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to

-   -   (l) detect, using the wireless radio transceiver, a second        wireless building facility node located past the first wireless        building facility node; and    -   (m) repeat functions (c)-(i) using the second wireless building        facility node as the wireless mobile courier node.

47. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 45,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is operative to perform function (j) by being furtherprogrammatically adapted and configured to be operative to

-   -   (n) detect, using the wireless radio transceiver, an advertising        signal from the first wireless facility node; and    -   (o) generate association data that establishes and reflects a        secure association between the first wireless facility node and        the modular mobile cart autonomy control module after detecting        the advertising signal from the first wireless facility node,        the secure association between the first wireless facility node        and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module allowing        secure sharing of information between the first wireless        facility node and the modular mobile cart autonomy control        module.

48. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 47,wherein the secure sharing of information between the first wirelessfacility node and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module allowsthe first wireless facility node to guide the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly from the current location of the modular autonomouscart apparatus assembly to the current location of the first wirelessfacility node.

49. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 47,wherein the secure sharing of information between the first wirelessfacility node and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module allowsthe first wireless facility node to guide the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly from the current location of the modular autonomouscart apparatus assembly to a remote location within a transmission rangeof the first wireless facility node.

50. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 49,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to repeat functions (d)-(h) using the first wireless buildingfacility node as the wireless mobile courier node and to autonomouslycause the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly to move towards theremote location.

51. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base, modular cart handle, and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module are each authenticated modularcomponents based upon a component-to-component secure handshakingbetween proximately attached ones of the modular mobility base, modularcart handle, and the modular mobile cart autonomy control module.

52. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking comprises achallenge and security credential response between proximately attachedones of the modular mobility base, modular cart handle, and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module.

53. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base, modular cart handle, and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module are verified to be authenticatedmodular components for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly aseach of the modular mobility base, modular cart handle, and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module are assembled into the modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly.

54. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based upon atleast one from a group comprising one or more regulatory rules, one ormore contractual rules, and one or more safety rules.

55. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based uponlogistical constraint information on a determined work environment forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

56. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 55,wherein the logical constraint information being identified as part ofthe security credential response.

57. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 55,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a sizelimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

58. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 55,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a weightlimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

59. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 55,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a readinesslimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

60. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 59,wherein the readiness limitation comprising one or more performancethresholds for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly in ananticipated deployment operation of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly.

61. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to:

-   -   notify a server over the wireless radio transceiver that one or        more of the modular mobility base, modular cart handle, and the        modular mobile cart autonomy control module are not        authenticated modular components based upon the        component-to-component secure handshaking between the modular        mobile cart autonomy control module and each of the modular        mobility base and the modular cart handle; and    -   request a replacement component for the one or more of the        modular mobility base and the modular cart handle that are not        authenticated modular components.

62. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile cart autonomycontrol module is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate a component replacement request message on atleast one of the displays disposed on the detachable modular housingwhen one or more of the modular mobility base and the modular carthandle are not authenticated modular components based upon thecomponent-to-component secure handshaking between the modular mobileautonomy control module and each of the modular mobility base and themodular cart handle, the component replacement request messagerequesting a replacement component for the one or more of the modularmobility base and the modular cart handle that are not authenticatedmodular components.

63. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to:

-   -   receive an authentication result from one of the modular        mobility base and the modular cart handle, wherein the        authentication result indicating that at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular cart handle are not        authenticated modular components based upon the        component-to-component secure handshaking between proximate ones        of the modular mobility base, the modular cart handle, and the        modular mobile autonomy control module; and    -   notify a server over the wireless radio transceiver that one or        more of the modular mobility base and modular cart handle are        not authenticated modular components based upon the        authentication result received.

64. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 51,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to

-   -   receive an authentication result from one of the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system, wherein the authentication result        indicating that at least one of the modular mobility base, the        modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage        system are not authenticated modular components based upon the        component-to-component secure handshaking between proximate ones        of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power        module, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobile        autonomy control module; and    -   generate a component replacement request message on at least one        of the displays disposed on the detachable modular housing based        upon the authentication result received.

65. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein each of the modular mobility base and modular cart handle areauthenticated modular components based upon a component-to-componentsecure handshaking between the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule and each of the modular mobility base and the modular carthandle.

66. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 65,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking comprises achallenge and security credential response between the modular mobilecart autonomy control module and each of the modular mobility base andthe modular cart handle.

67. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 65,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based upon atleast one from a group comprising one or more regulatory rules, one ormore contractual rules, and one or more safety rules.

68. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 65,wherein the component-to-component secure handshaking is based uponlogistical constraint information on a determined work environment forthe modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

69. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 68,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a sizelimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

71. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 68,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a weightlimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

72. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 68,wherein the logistical constraint information identifies a readinesslimitation for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly.

73. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 72,wherein the readiness limitation comprising one or more performancethresholds for the modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly in ananticipated deployment operation of the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly.

74. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 65,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to

-   -   notify a server over the wireless radio transceiver that one or        more of the modular mobility base and the modular cart handle        are not authenticated modular components based upon the        component-to-component secure handshaking between the modular        mobile autonomy control module and each of the modular mobility        base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo        storage system, and    -   request a replacement component for the one or more of the        modular mobility base and the modular cart handle that are not        authenticated modular components.

75. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 63,wherein the autonomous controller of the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is further programmatically adapted and configured to beoperative to generate a component replacement request message on atleast one of the displays disposed on the detachable modular housingwhen one or more of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliarypower module, and the modular cargo storage system are not authenticatedmodular components based upon the component-to-component securehandshaking between the modular mobile autonomy control module and eachof the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, andthe modular cargo storage system, the component replacement requestmessage requesting a replacement component for the one or more of themodular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and themodular cargo storage system that are not authenticated modularcomponents.

76. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base, modular cart handle, and the modularmobile cart autonomy control module are each verified to be compatiblewith an assigned logistics operation for the modular autonomous cartapparatus assembly based upon a component-to-component securehandshaking between proximately attached ones of the modular mobilitybase, modular cart handle, and the modular mobile cart autonomy controlmodule.

77. The modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly of embodiment 1,wherein the modular mobility base comprises a mobility basesub-assembly, wherein the mobility base subassembly comprising

-   -   an extended base adapter plate as the mobile base platform,    -   a front mobility base unit coupled to a bottom of the extended        base adapter plate, and    -   a rear mobility base unit coupled to the bottom of the extended        base adapter plate,    -   wherein the propulsion system for the modular mobility base        being connected to the extended base adapter plate, the        propulsion system comprising    -   a front propulsion system responsive to a first propulsion        control input from the mobility controller to cause changes in        speed of the front mobility base unit,    -   a second propulsion system responsive to a second propulsion        control input from the mobility controller to cause changes in        speed of the rear mobility base unit,    -   wherein the steering system for the modular mobility base        comprising    -   a first steering system connected to the front mobility base        unit and coupled to the first propulsion system, the first        steering system responsive to a first steering control input        from the mobility controller and operative to cause changes to        directional movement of the front mobility base unit,    -   a second steering system connected to the second mobility base        unit and coupled to the second propulsion system, the second        steering system responsive to a second steering control input        from the mobility controller and operative to cause changes to        directional movement of the rear mobility base unit,    -   a plurality of mobility base sensors coupled to the mobility        controller, the mobility base sensors having a first portion        being disposed on the front mobility base unit and a second        portion being disposed on the rear mobility base unit, the        mobility base sensors being operative to autonomously detect an        object in the path of the modular mobility base and provide base        feedback sensor data to the mobility controller on the detected        object, and    -   a first interface to a common modular component power and data        transport bus, the first interface providing a power conduit for        the modular mobility base and a command and data interface        conduit for at least the mobility controller.

78. A system for transporting a plurality of items being shipped, thesystem comprising

-   -   a first modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly for        transporting a first of the items being shipped, the first        modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly comprising:        -   a first propelled sensor-based modular mobility base having            a first support base platform that supports the first of the            items being shipped,        -   a first modular cart handle detachably mounted to the first            modular mobility base, the first modular cart handle            comprising a first handle grip and a first common modular            component power and data transport bus as a first conduit            through the first modular cart handle, and        -   a first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            detachably mounted to the first modular cart handle, the            first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            further comprising a first wireless radio transceiver,            wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control            module being operative to            -   generate first onboard sensor data related to an                environment proximate the first modular sensor-based                cart autonomy control module,            -   receive first base sensor data from the first modular                mobility base through the first conduit, where the first                base sensor data is related to an environment proximate                the first modular mobility base, and            -   provide a first mobility control input as navigation                control to the first modular mobility base through the                first conduit based at least upon the onboard sensor                data and the received base sensor data; and    -   a second modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly for        transporting a second of the items being shipped, the second        modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly comprising:        -   a second propelled sensor-based modular mobility base having            a second support base platform that supports the second of            the items being shipped,        -   a second modular cart handle detachably mounted to the            second modular mobility base, the second modular cart handle            comprising a second handle grip and a second common modular            component power and data transport bus as a second conduit            through the second modular cart handle, and        -   a second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            detachably mounted to the second modular cart handle, the            second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            further comprising a second wireless radio transceiver,            wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy            control module being operative to            -   generate second onboard sensor data related to an                environment proximate the second modular sensor-based                cart autonomy control module,            -   receive second base sensor data from the second modular                mobility base through the second conduit, where the                second base sensor data is related to an environment                proximate the second modular mobility base, and            -   provide a second mobility control input as navigation                control to the second modular mobility base through the                second conduit based at least upon the second onboard                sensor data and the received second base sensor data;                and    -   wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further operative to        -   determine a location of a wireless mobile courier node            operated by courier personnel involved in delivering the            items being shipped, and        -   autonomously cause the first modular mobility base to follow            the wireless courier node while maintaining a first            predetermined follow distance from the location of the            wireless mobile courier node as the wireless mobile courier            node moves on a delivery route, and    -   wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further operative to        -   determine a location of the first modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module, and        -   autonomously cause the second modular mobility base to            follow the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy module            while maintaining a second predetermined follow distance            from the location of the first modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module as the first modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module follows the wireless mobile courier node on            the delivery route.

79. The system of embodiment 78, further comprising a third modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly for transporting a third of the itemsbeing shipped, the third modular autonomous cart apparatus assemblycomprising:

-   -   a third propelled sensor-based modular mobility base having a        support base platform that supports the third of the items being        shipped,    -   a third modular cart handle detachably mounted to the third        modular mobility base, the third modular cart handle comprising        a third handle grip and a third common modular component power        and data transport bus as a third conduit through the third        modular cart handle, and    -   a third modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module        detachably mounted to the third modular cart handle, the third        modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module further        comprising a third wireless radio transceiver, wherein the third        modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module being        operative to        -   generate third onboard sensor data related to an environment            proximate the third modular sensor-based cart autonomy            control module,        -   receive third base sensor data from the third modular            mobility base through the conduit, where the third base            sensor data is related to an environment proximate the third            modular mobility base, and        -   provide a third mobility control input as navigation control            to the third modular mobility base through conduit based at            least upon the third onboard sensor data and the received            third base sensor data; and    -   wherein the third modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further operative to        -   determine a location of the second modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module, and        -   autonomously cause the third modular mobility base to follow            the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy module while            maintaining a second predetermined follow distance from the            location of the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy            module as the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy            module follows the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy            module.

80. The system of embodiment 78, wherein the first of the items beingshipped comprises a first wireless ID node with the first of the itemsbeing shipped, the first wireless ID node maintaining shippinginformation on the first of the items being shipped including at leastidentifier information on the first of the items being shipped,recipient information on the first of the items being shipped, anddestination information on the first of the items being shipped; and

-   -   wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to generate association data that establishes and        reflects a secure association between the first wireless ID node        and the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module        after detecting an advertising signal from the first wireless ID        node, the secure association between the first wireless ID node        and the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module        allowing secure sharing of at least the shipping information        between the first wireless ID node and the first modular        sensor-based cart autonomy control module.

81. The system of embodiment 78, wherein the second of the items beingshipped comprises a second wireless ID node with the second of the itemsbeing shipped, the second wireless ID node maintaining shippinginformation on the second of the items being shipped including at leastidentifier information on the second of the items being shipped,recipient information on the second of the items being shipped, anddestination information on the second of the items being shipped; and

-   -   wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to generate association data that establishes and        reflects a secure association between the second wireless ID        node and the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module after detecting an advertising signal from the second        wireless ID node, the secure association between the second        wireless ID node and the second modular sensor-based cart        autonomy control module allowing secure sharing of at least the        shipping information between the second wireless ID node and the        second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module.

82. The system of embodiment 80, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to generate a delivery notification inresponse to receiving at least a portion of the shipping informationfrom the first wireless ID node.

83. The system of embodiment 81, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is further programmatically adapted andconfigured to be operative to generate a delivery notification inresponse to receiving at least a portion of the shipping informationfrom the second wireless ID node.

84. The system of embodiment 82, wherein the delivery notificationcomprises a delivery location information notification indicating thedestination information on the first of the items being shipped and theidentifier information on the first of the items being shipped.

85. The system of embodiment 83, wherein the delivery notificationcomprises a delivery location information notification indicating thedestination information on the second of the items being shipped and theidentifier information on the second of the items being shipped.

86. The system of embodiment 84, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to trigger generation of the delivery notification whenthe current location of the first modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly is within a threshold distance from a delivery locationindicated by the destination information.

87. The system of embodiment 85, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to trigger generation of the delivery notification whenthe current location of the second modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly is within a threshold distance from a delivery locationindicated by the destination information.

88. The system of embodiment 82, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to generate the delivery notification by being furtheroperative to generate a delivery warning on a display disposed on thefirst modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module, the deliverywarning identifying the first of the items being shipped based upon theshipping information, the delivery warning also indicating thedestination information on the first of the items being shipped.

89. The system of embodiment 83, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to generate the delivery notification by being furtheroperative to generate a delivery warning on a display disposed on thesecond modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module, the deliverywarning identifying the second of the items being shipped based upon theshipping information, the delivery warning also indicating thedestination information on the second of the items being shipped.

90. The system of embodiment 82, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module further comprises a speaker; and

-   -   wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to generate the delivery notification by being further        operative to generate an audible delivery warning through the        speaker, the audible delivery warning identifying the first of        the items being shipped based upon the shipping information, the        audible delivery warning also indicating the destination        information on the first of the items being shipped.

91. The system of embodiment 83, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module further comprises a speaker; and

-   -   wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to generate the delivery notification by being further        operative to generate an audible delivery warning through the        speaker, the audible delivery warning identifying the second of        the items being shipped based upon the shipping information, the        audible delivery warning also indicating the destination        information on the second of the items being shipped.

92. The system of embodiment 82, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to generate the delivery notification by being furtheroperative to wirelessly notify the wireless mobile courier node with thedelivery notification.

93. The system of embodiment 83, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to generate the delivery notification by being furtheroperative to wirelessly notify the wireless mobile courier node with thedelivery notification.

94. The system of embodiment 92, wherein the delivery notificationcomprises a delivery location information notification indicating thedestination information on the first of the items being shipped and theidentifier information on the first of the items being shipped.

95. The system of embodiment 93, wherein the delivery notificationcomprises a delivery location information notification indicating thedestination information on the second of the items being shipped and theidentifier information on the second of the items being shipped.

96. The system of embodiment 94, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to trigger generation of the delivery notification andthe wireless notification of the wireless mobile courier node when thecurrent location of the first modular autonomous cart apparatus assemblyis within a threshold distance from a delivery location indicated by thedestination information.

97. The system of embodiment 95, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to trigger generation of the delivery notification andthe wireless notification of the wireless mobile courier node when thecurrent location of the second modular autonomous cart apparatusassembly is within a threshold distance from a delivery locationindicated by the destination information.

98. The system of embodiment 78, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module maintains a first inventory data structureidentifying which of the items are disposed on the first support base;

-   -   wherein the first modular sensor-based autonomy control module        further comprises at least a first payload monitoring sensor        that monitors any of the items disposed on the first support        base; and    -   wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to        -   detect, using first payload sensor data from the first            payload monitoring sensor, when the first of the items being            shipped has been removed from the first support base,        -   update the first inventory data structure to reflect the            detected removal of the first of the items being shipped,            and        -   notify the wireless mobile courier node that the first of            the items being shipped has been removed from the first            support base.

99. The system of embodiment 78, wherein the second modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module maintains a second inventory data structureidentifying which of the items are disposed on the second support base;

-   -   wherein the second modular sensor-based autonomy control module        further comprises at least a second payload monitoring sensor        that monitors any of the items disposed on the second support        base; and    -   wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is programmatically adapted and configured to be        operative to        -   detect, using second payload sensor data from the second            payload monitoring sensor, when the second of the items            being shipped has been removed from the second support base,        -   update the second inventory data structure to reflect the            detected removal of the second of the items being shipped,            and        -   notify the wireless mobile courier node that the second of            the items being shipped has been removed from the second            support base.

100. The system of embodiment 78, wherein the first modular sensor-basedcart autonomy control module is programmatically adapted and configuredto be operative to

-   -   monitor at least the first of the items being shipped on the        first support base;    -   identify a location of the first of the items being shipped as        located on the first support base; and    -   notify the wireless mobile courier node about the identified        location of the first of the items being shipped.

101. The system of embodiment 78, wherein the second modularsensor-based cart autonomy control module is programmatically adaptedand configured to be operative to

-   -   monitor at least the second of the items being shipped on the        second support base;    -   identify a location of the second of the items being shipped as        located on the second support base; and    -   notify the wireless mobile courier node about the identified        location of the second of the items being shipped.

102. A system for transporting a plurality of items being shipped, thesystem comprising

-   -   a first modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly for        transporting a first of the items being shipped, the first        modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly comprising:        -   a first propelled sensor-based modular mobility base having            a support base platform that supports the first of the items            being shipped,        -   a first modular cart handle detachably mounted to the first            modular mobility base, the first modular cart handle            comprising            -   a first handle grip,            -   a localized guidance input detector disposed on the                handle grip, and            -   a first common modular component power and data                transport bus as a first conduit through the first                modular cart handle, and        -   a first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            detachably mounted to the first modular cart handle, the            first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            further comprising a first wireless radio transceiver,            wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control            module being operative to            -   generate first onboard sensor data related to an                environment proximate the first modular sensor-based                cart autonomy control module,            -   receive first base sensor data from the first modular                mobility base through the conduit, where the first base                sensor data is related to an environment proximate the                first modular mobility base,            -   receive override control input from the localized                guidance input detector and through the first conduit,                and            -   provide a first mobility control input as navigation                control to the first modular mobility base through the                first conduit based at least upon the onboard sensor                data, the received base sensor data, and the override                control input; and    -   a second modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly for        transporting a second of the items being shipped, the second        modular autonomous cart apparatus assembly comprising:        -   a second propelled sensor-based modular mobility base having            a support base platform that supports the second of the            items being shipped,        -   a second modular cart handle detachably mounted to the            second modular mobility base, the second modular cart handle            comprising a second handle grip and a second common modular            component power and data transport bus as a second conduit            through the second modular cart handle, and        -   a second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            detachably mounted to the second modular cart handle, the            second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module            further comprising a second wireless radio transceiver,            wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy            control module being operative to            -   generate second onboard sensor data related to an                environment proximate the second modular sensor-based                cart autonomy control module,            -   receive second base sensor data from the second modular                mobility base through the second conduit, where the                second base sensor data is related to an environment                proximate the second modular mobility base, and            -   provide a second mobility control input as navigation                control to the second modular mobility base through the                second conduit based at least upon the second onboard                sensor data and the received second base sensor data;                and    -   wherein the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further operative to respond to the override control        input and autonomously cause the first modular mobility base to        move based on the provided first mobility control input to        initiate and cause power-assisted movement of the first modular        mobility base at the direction of local personnel in external        contact with the localized guidance input detector, and    -   wherein the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further operative to        -   determine a location of the first modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module, and        -   autonomously cause the second modular mobility base to            follow the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy module            while maintaining a second predetermined follow distance            from the location of the first modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module.

103. The system of embodiment 102, further comprising a third modularautonomous cart apparatus assembly for transporting a third of the itemsbeing shipped, the third modular autonomous cart apparatus assemblycomprising:

-   -   a third propelled sensor-based modular mobility base having a        support base platform that supports the third of the items being        shipped,    -   a third modular cart handle detachably mounted to the third        modular mobility base, the third modular cart handle comprising        a third handle grip and a third common modular component power        and data transport bus as a third conduit through the third        modular cart handle, and    -   a third modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module        detachably mounted to the third modular cart handle, the third        modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module further        comprising a third wireless radio transceiver, wherein the third        modular sensor-based cart autonomy control module being        operative to        -   generate third onboard sensor data related to an environment            proximate the third modular sensor-based cart autonomy            control module,        -   receive third base sensor data from the third modular            mobility base through the conduit, where the third base            sensor data is related to an environment proximate the third            modular mobility base, and        -   provide a third mobility control input as navigation control            to the third modular mobility base through conduit based at            least upon the third onboard sensor data and the received            third base sensor data; and    -   wherein the third modular sensor-based cart autonomy control        module is further operative to        -   determine a location of the second modular sensor-based cart            autonomy module, and        -   autonomously cause the third modular mobility base to follow            the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy module while            maintaining a second predetermined follow distance from the            location of the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy            module as the second modular sensor-based cart autonomy            module follows the first modular sensor-based cart autonomy            module.

Further Embodiment M—Apparatus, Systems, and Methods for Performing aDispatched Logistics Operation for a Deliverable Item from aHold-at-Location Logistics Facility Using a Modular Autonomous BotApparatus Assembly, a Dispatch Server, and an Enhanced Remotely-ActuatedLogistics Receptacle Apparatus

1. A method of performing a dispatched logistics operation for adeliverable item from a hold-at-location logistics facility having asecured storage and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyand a dispatch server, the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyhaving at least a modular mobility base propelling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power moduleproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, amodular cargo storage system configured to at least temporarily maintainthe deliverable item within the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module that autonomouslycontrols operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assemblyduring the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        delivery dispatch command from the dispatch server, the delivery        dispatch command comprising at least        -   identifier information on the deliverable item,        -   transport parameters on the deliverable item,        -   destination delivery information related to drop-off of the            deliverable item, and        -   delivery authentication information related to an authorized            delivery recipient of the deliverable item;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched        logistics operation for the deliverable item based upon the        delivery dispatch command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the deliverable        item from the secured storage at the hold-at-location logistics        facility into a payload area within the modular cargo storage        system at the hold-at-location logistics facility;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the        hold-at-location logistics facility on a route to a destination        location identified by the destination delivery information;    -   notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        authorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of an        approaching delivery when the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly is within a threshold notification range of the        destination location identified by the destination information;    -   receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular        mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly at the destination location;    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access        to the deliverable item within the modular cargo storage system        only when the delivery recipient authentication input correlates        to the delivery authentication information indicating that the        delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading of the deliverable item from within the modular cargo        storage system using one or more sensors on at least one of the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo        storage system; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location on a return route to the hold-at-location logistics        facility after the deliverable item is no longer detected within        the modular cargo storage system.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the hold-at-location logisticsfacility comprises a logistics location having a temporary storage forreceipt of the deliverable item and where a designated one of aplurality of secure storage enclosures as the secured storage.

3. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the secure storage enclosurescomprise a plurality of secure locker receptacles.

4. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the designated one of the securestorage enclosures comprises a secure locker receptacle accessible bythe authorized delivery recipient.

5. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the designated one of the securestorage enclosures comprises a secure locker receptacle accessible bypersonnel designated by the authorized delivery recipient.

6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery dispatch commandcomprises an auto redirect dispatch command initiated by the dispatchsystem when the deliverable item is detected at a temporary storagewithin the hold-at-location logistics facility.

7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery dispatch commandcomprises a self-selected designated dispatch command initiated by thedispatch system when the deliverable item is detected at a temporarystorage within the hold-at-location logistics facility and in responseto a delivery request received by the dispatch system from theauthorized delivery recipient.

8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedelivery dispatch command is triggered as a result of a separatelogistics operation related to the deliverable item.

9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the separate logistics operationrelated to the deliverable item comprises a prior unsuccessful attemptfor delivery of the deliverable item to the authorized deliveryrecipient.

10. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the prior unsuccessful attemptfor delivery of the deliverable item to the authorized deliveryrecipient comprises a prior dispatched logistics operation forautonomous delivery of the deliverable item to the authorized deliveryrecipient.

11. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the prior unsuccessful attemptfor delivery of the deliverable item to the authorized deliveryrecipient comprises a prior manual delivery attempt delivery of thedeliverable item to the authorized delivery recipient.

12. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the separate logistics operationrelated to the deliverable item comprises a pre-designated first stageof an overall logistics operation to deliver the deliverable item to theauthorized delivery recipient, wherein the pre-designated first stage ofthe overall logistics operation provides the deliverable item to thesecured storage at the hold-at-location logistics facility as adesignated interim handoff location for the dispatched logisticsoperation from the hold-at-location logistics facility involving themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly

13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the identifier informationcomprises data that uniquely identifies the deliverable item.

14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the identifier informationcomprises a machine readable identification of the deliverable item.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the identifier informationcomprises human readable information disposed on the deliverable itemthat identifies the deliverable item.

16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedeliverable item comprises loading the deliverable item into the payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system at the hold-at-locationlogistics facility.

17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the step of loading thedeliverable item comprises receiving, by the modular cargo storagesystem, the deliverable item in response to a load request message fromthe dispatch system.

18. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the load request message beingsent from the dispatch system to loading personnel at thehold-at-location logistics facility.

19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of the approachingdelivery comprises generating a display alert for the authorizeddelivery recipient on a display on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information.

20. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of the approachingdelivery comprises generating an audio notification for the authorizeddelivery recipient on a speaker on the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the destination location identified bythe destination information.

21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of the approachingdelivery comprises transmitting a delivery notification message to anexternal wireless node once the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within the threshold notification range of the destinationlocation identified by the destination information, the externalwireless node being related to the authorized delivery recipientaccording to the destination delivery information.

22. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of notifying theauthorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of the approachingdelivery comprises transmitting a delivery notification message to anexternal wireless node after the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly moves from the hold-at-location logistics facility, theexternal wireless node being related to the authorized deliveryrecipient according to the destination delivery information.

23. The method of embodiment 21, the step of notifying the authorizeddelivery recipient of the deliverable item of the approaching deliveryfurther comprises transmitting an arrival estimate to the externalwireless node, the arrival estimate indicating an estimated time toarrive at the destination location.

24. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the deliverable item comprises:

-   -   capturing sensor data from the one or more sensors on at least        one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the        modular cargo storage system; and    -   detecting when the deliverable item is removed from within the        modular cargo storage system based upon the captured sensor        data.

25. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the deliverable item comprises:

-   -   generating barcode scan data related to the deliverable item as        the deliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system using a barcode scanner as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated barcode scan data to monitor the        deliverable item as the deliverable item is removed from within        the modular cargo storage system.

26. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the deliverable item comprises:

-   -   generating image data related to the deliverable item as the        deliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system using an image sensor as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated image data to monitor the deliverable        item as the deliverable item is removed from within the modular        cargo storage system.

27. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the deliverable item comprises:

-   -   generating video data related to the deliverable item as the        deliverable item is removed from within the modular cargo        storage system using an image sensor as one of the one or more        sensors; and    -   processing the generated video data to monitor the deliverable        item as the deliverable item is removed from within the modular        cargo storage system.

28. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of monitoring unloadingof the deliverable item comprises:

-   -   capturing audio using a microphone as one of the one or more        sensors disposed to record sound within and proximate to the        modular cargo storage system as the deliverable item is removed        from within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   processing the captured audio data to monitor the deliverable        item as the deliverable item is removed from within the modular        cargo storage system.

29. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the deliverable item includes awireless mobile node; and

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring unloading of the deliverable item        comprises detecting movement of the wireless mobile node        disposed with the deliverable item as the deliverable item is        removed from within the modular cargo storage system based upon        a plurality of signals broadcast from the wireless mobile node        disposed with the deliverable item.

30. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the deliverable item includes awireless mobile node; and

-   -   wherein the step of monitoring unloading of the deliverable item        comprises detecting a change in location of the wireless mobile        node disposed with the deliverable item to outside the modular        cargo storage system as the deliverable item is removed from        within the modular cargo storage system as determined by the        modular mobile autonomous control module.

31. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery dispatch commandfurther comprises identifier information on an additional deliverableitem, additional destination delivery information related to drop-off ofthe additional deliverable item, and additional delivery authenticationinformation related to a secondary authorized delivery recipient of theadditional deliverable item;

-   -   further comprising the step of receiving, by the modular cargo        storage system, the additional deliverable item from the secured        storage at the hold-at-location logistics facility into the        payload area within the modular cargo storage system at the        hold-at-location logistics facility;    -   wherein the step of providing selective access to the        deliverable item within the modular cargo storage system        comprises providing, by the modular cargo storage system,        selective access to only the deliverable item within the modular        cargo storage system when the delivery recipient authentication        input correlates to the delivery authentication information        indicating that the delivery recipient providing the delivery        recipient authentication input is the authorized delivery        recipient;    -   wherein the step of autonomously causing the modular mobility        base to move from the destination location on the return route        to the hold-at-location logistics facility after the deliverable        item is no longer detected within the modular cargo storage        system comprises:        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the            destination location to a secondary delivery location after            the deliverable item is detected to be removed from within            the modular cargo storage system at the destination            location, the secondary delivery location identified by the            additional destination delivery information in the delivery            dispatch command;        -   receiving secondary delivery recipient authentication input            by the modular mobile autonomy control module from a second            delivery recipient disposed external to the modular            autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the secondary            destination location;        -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective            access to only the additional deliverable item within the            modular cargo storage system when the secondary delivery            recipient authentication input correlates to the secondary            delivery authentication information indicating that the            second delivery recipient providing the secondary delivery            recipient authentication input is the secondary authorized            delivery recipient of the additional deliverable item; and        -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, the modular mobility base to move from the secondary            delivery location to the hold-at-location logistics facility            after the additional deliverable item is no longer detected            within the modular cargo storage system.

32. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the destination location on thereturn route to the hold-at-location logistics facility after thedeliverable item is no longer detected within the modular cargo storagesystem comprises:

-   -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        return delivery dispatch command from the dispatch server before        the modular mobility base leaves from the destination location,        the return delivery dispatch command being initiated by the        authorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item, the        return delivery dispatch command extending the dispatched        logistics operation and comprising at least identifier        information on a return deliverable item, transport parameters        on the return deliverable item, and courier authentication        information related to an authorized pickup courier for the        return deliverable item;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with the extended        dispatched logistics operation for the return deliverable item        based upon the return delivery dispatch command;    -   receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the return        deliverable item from the authorized delivery recipient into the        payload area within the modular cargo storage system at the        destination location after the deliverable item is no longer        detected within the modular cargo storage system; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the destination        location to the hold-at-location logistics facility after the        return deliverable item is detected by the one or more sensors        as being placed within the modular cargo storage system.

33. The method of embodiment 32, further comprising the step ofnotifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, personnel atthe hold-at-location logistics facility about an approaching delivery ofthe return deliverable item when the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly is within a threshold notification range of thehold-at-location logistics facility.

34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the step of notifying thepersonnel at the hold-at-location logistics facility about theapproaching delivery of the return deliverable item comprises generatinga display alert about the return deliverable item on a display on themodular mobile autonomy control module once the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is within the threshold notification range of thehold-at-location logistics facility.

35. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the step of notifying thepersonnel at the hold-at-location logistics facility about theapproaching delivery of the return deliverable item comprises generatingan audio notification about the return deliverable item on a speaker onthe modular mobile autonomy control module once the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly is within the threshold notification range of thehold-at-location logistics facility.

36. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the step of notifying thepersonnel at the hold-at-location logistics facility about theapproaching delivery of the return deliverable item comprisestransmitting a delivery notification message to an external wirelessnode once the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within thethreshold notification range of the hold-at-location logistics facility,the external wireless node being related to the personnel at thehold-at-location logistics facility.

37. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the step of notifying thepersonnel at the hold-at-location logistics facility about theapproaching delivery of the return deliverable item comprisestransmitting a delivery notification message to an external wirelessnode after the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly moves from thedestination location with the return deliverable item, the externalwireless node being related to the personnel at the hold-at-locationlogistics facility.

38. The method of embodiment 36, the step of notifying the authorizeddelivery recipient of the deliverable item of the approaching deliveryfurther comprises transmitting an arrival estimate to the externalwireless node, the arrival estimate indicating an estimated time toarrive at the hold-at-location logistics facility.

39. The method of embodiment 32, further comprising the step ofproviding, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access to thereturn deliverable item within the modular cargo storage system afterthe modular mobile base arrives at the hold-at-location logisticsfacility.

40. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility to the destination location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the hold-at-location logistics facility to the destinationlocation while interacting with a wireless building facility node toactuate a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on the route to thedestination location.

41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated door controlled by the wireless building facility node.

42. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated elevator controlled by the wireless building facility node.

43. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesan actuated lock controlled by the wireless building facility node.

44. The method of embodiment 40, wherein interacting with the wirelessbuilding facility node to actuate the pathway obstacle comprises:

-   -   establishing an authorized association pairing between the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the wireless building        facility node based upon the authentication information related        to the dispatched logistics operation; and    -   causing the wireless building facility node to actuate the        pathway obstacle after establishing the authorized association        pairing between the modular mobile autonomy control module and        the wireless building facility node.

45. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of autonomously causingthe modular mobility base to move from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility to the destination location comprises autonomously causing, bythe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base tomove from the hold-at-location logistics facility to the destinationlocation while engaging a pathway obstacle disposed in a path on theroute to the destination location using an articulating arm disposed onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and using a plurality ofsensors disposed on at least one of the modular mobility base and themodular mobile autonomy control module.

46. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated door.

47. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated elevator.

48. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the pathway obstacle comprisesa manually actuated lock.

49. The method of embodiment 45, wherein engaging the pathway obstacleusing the articulating arm and sensors comprises:

-   -   guiding, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        articulating arm to a control element of the pathway obstacle        using one or more of the sensors disposed on at least one of the        modular mobility base and the modular mobile autonomy control        module; and    -   actuating the pathway obstacle, by the modular mobile autonomy        control module, once the articulating arm engages the control        element of the pathway obstacle.

50. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the control element of thepathway obstacle comprises one from the group consisting of a handle forthe pathway obstacle, a button for the pathway obstacle, a switch forthe pathway obstacle, and a portion of a control panel for the pathwayobstacle.

51. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through a user input paneldisposed on the modular autonomous bot apparatus coupled to the modularmobile autonomy control module.

52. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

53. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the user input panel disposed on the modular cargo storagesystem and operatively coupled to the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule.

54. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule is provided by the delivery recipient through an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly.

55. The method of embodiment 54, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises an access code provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

56. The method of embodiment 54, wherein the delivery recipientauthentication input received by the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule comprises a biometric input provided by the delivery recipientthrough the external wireless node disposed external to the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

57. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility includes an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the deliverable item for transport as part of thedispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            advertising signal as the delivery recipient authentication            input from an external wireless node within a predetermined            range of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly once            the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly has arrived at            the destination location identified by the destination            information; and        -   authenticating, by the modular mobile autonomy control            module, that the external wireless node is associated with            the authorized delivery recipient for the item being shipped            within the modular cargo storage system based upon the            identifier of the authorized delivery recipient and            identifier information within the detected advertising            signal broadcast from the external wireless node.

58. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the authentication informationrelated to the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-locationlogistics facility includes an identifier of the authorized deliveryrecipient for the deliverable item for transport as part of thedispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logisticsfacility; and

-   -   wherein the step of receiving the delivery recipient        authentication input comprises:        -   detecting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, an            unprompted advertising signal from an external wireless node            within a predetermined range of the modular autonomous bot            apparatus assembly once the modular autonomous bot apparatus            assembly has arrived at the destination location identified            by the destination information; and        -   establishing a secure association between the external node            and the modular mobile autonomy control module after            detecting the unprompted advertising signal from the            external wireless node, the secure association between the            external node and the modular mobile autonomy control module            allowing secure sharing of information between the external            node and the modular mobile autonomy control module and            being pre-authorized by the dispatch server as it relates to            the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location            logistics facility.

59. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedeliverable item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated cargo door disposed on the modular auxiliarypower module to an open position, where the actuated cargo door providesa seal to a payload area within the modular cargo storage system whenthe actuated cargo door is in a closed position and the actuated cargodoor provides access to the payload area within the modular cargostorage system when the actuated cargo door is in the open position.

60. The method of embodiment 59, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

61. The method of embodiment 59, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

62. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedeliverable item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to move the deliverable item into a payload area withinthe modular cargo storage system.

63. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedeliverable item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on the modular cargostorage system to grab and move the deliverable item into a payload areawithin the modular cargo storage system as part of receiving thedeliverable item.

64. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of receiving thedeliverable item comprises actuating, by the modular mobile autonomycontrol module, an actuated belt surface disposed on the modularauxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposed within apayload area inside the modular cargo storage system, the actuated beltsurface being operative when actuated to cause the deliverable item asplaced on the actuated belt surface to move within the payload area aspart of receiving the deliverable item.

65. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the deliverable item comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated cargo door disposed on themodular auxiliary power module to an open position once the deliveryrecipient authentication input correlates to a portion of theauthentication information related to the dispatched logisticsoperation, wherein the actuated cargo door provides a seal to a payloadarea within the modular cargo storage system when the actuated cargodoor is in a closed position and the actuated cargo door provides accessto the payload area within the modular cargo storage system when theactuated cargo door is in the open position.

66. The method of embodiment 65, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door comprisesactuating an actuated joint on the actuated cargo door to cause theactuated cargo door to move from the closed position to the openposition.

67. The method of embodiment 65, wherein actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, the actuated cargo door furthercomprises actuating an electro-mechanical lock on the actuated cargodoor to cause the actuated cargo door to unlock before moving from theclosed position to the open position.

68. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the deliverable item comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated sliding arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to move the deliverable item out from apayload area within the modular cargo storage system.

69. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the deliverable item comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated grabbing arm disposed on themodular cargo storage system to grab and move the deliverable item outfrom a payload area within the modular cargo storage system.

70. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of providing selectiveaccess to the deliverable item comprises actuating, by the modularmobile autonomy control module, an actuated belt surface disposed on themodular auxiliary power module as a movable support surface exposedwithin a payload area inside the modular cargo storage system, theactuated belt surface being operative when actuated to cause thedeliverable item as placed on the actuated belt surface to move out fromwithin the payload area.

71. A remotely-actuated logistics receptacle apparatus for wirelesslyinterfacing with a dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle,comprising:

-   -   a logistics receptacle for receiving and temporarily maintaining        an object deposited for shipment, the logistics receptacle        comprising        -   a storage enclosure defining a temporary storage area within            which the object is temporarily maintained,        -   an entrance opening through which the object can pass when            being retrieved from the storage enclosure, and        -   an access door disposed on the storage enclosure next to the            entrance opening, the access door selectively securing the            entrance opening when in a closed position and allowing the            object to be retrieved from the storage enclosure through            the entrance opening when in an open position,    -   a wireless node-based remote access control module disposed with        the logistics receptacle, the wireless node-based remote access        control module comprising        -   a controller,        -   a control module memory coupled to the controller, the            control module memory maintaining remote storage access            program code and pickup authentication information related            to an authorized pickup logistics operation for the object            by the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle as an            authorized pickup entity for the object deposited for            shipment, and        -   a wireless communication interface operatively coupled to            the controller, the wireless communication interface            providing a wireless communication path to the dispatched            mobile autonomous delivery vehicle;    -   a door actuator coupled between the access door and the storage        enclosure, the door actuator being operatively activated by the        controller, the door actuator selectively causing the access        door to open when activated to move from the closed position to        the open position and selectively cause the access door close        when activated to move the access door from the open position to        closed position; and    -   a parcel object actuator disposed within the temporary storage        area, the parcel object actuator being operatively activated by        the controller, the parcel object actuator selectively causing        the object to move out of the temporary storage area and through        the entrance opening;    -   wherein the controller, when executing the remote storage access        program code, is operative to        -   receive a pickup authentication signal over the wireless            communication interface from an external wireless node,        -   transmit a first remote control actuation signal to the door            actuator only if the received pickup authentication signal            is determined to be from the dispatched mobile autonomous            delivery vehicle as the authorized pickup entity according            to the pickup authentication information in the control            module memory, the first remote control actuation signal            activating the door actuator to cause the access door to            open,        -   transmit a second remote control actuation signal to the            parcel object actuator once the access door is open and only            if the received pickup authentication signal is determined            to be from the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle            as the authorized pickup entity according to the pickup            authentication information in the control module memory, the            second remote control actuation signal activating the parcel            object actuator to cause the object to move from where it is            maintained in the temporary storage area and through the            entrance opening.

72. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the controller, whenexecuting the remote storage access program code, is further operativeto receive a ready confirmation signal over the wireless communicationinterface from the dispatched mobile autonomous deliver vehicle as theauthorized pickup entity; and

-   -   wherein the controller is operative to transmit the second        remote control actuation signal to the parcel object actuator        causing the object to move through the entrance opening only        after the controller received the ready confirmation signal from        the dispatched mobile autonomous deliver vehicle as the        authorized pickup entity.

73. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the controller is operativeto determine if the received pickup authentication signal from thedispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle is from the authorizedpickup entity according to the pickup authentication information in thecontrol module memory by being operative to:

-   -   generate association data indicating a secure association        between the external node and the controller after detecting the        pickup authentication signal from the external wireless node,        the secure association between the external node and the        controller allowing secure sharing of information between the        external node and the controller and being pre-authorized by the        dispatch server as indicated by the pickup authentication        information related to the authorized pickup logistics        operation.

74. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the controller, whenexecuting the remote storage access program code, is further operativeto receive the pickup authentication information related to theauthorized pickup logistics operation from a dispatch server over thewireless communication interface.

75. The apparatus of embodiment 71, further comprising a sensor disposedwithin the storage enclosure for detecting deposit of the objectdeposited for shipment, the sensor being operatively coupled to thecontroller of the wireless node-based remote access control module, thesensor being operative to generate sensor data reflecting the detecteddeposit of the object deposited for shipment within the storageenclosure; and

-   -   wherein the controller, when executing the remote storage access        program code, is further operative to receive the sensor data        from the sensor and responsively transmit a dispatch request        message over the wireless communication interface to the        dispatch server, the dispatch request initiating dispatch of the        dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle for the authorized        pickup logistics operation.

76. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the parcel object actuatoris operative when activated to cause the object being shipped to beremoved from the temporary storage area and placed into custody of thedispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle.

77. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the parcel object actuatorcomprises an actuated support base that temporarily maintains the objectdeposited for shipment, wherein the actuated support base is operativewhen actuated to tilt towards the entrance opening causing the objectbeing shipped to at least slide towards the entrance opening.

78. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the parcel object actuatorcomprises an actuated pushing arm that is operative when actuated tocontact the object being shipped and at least push the object beingshipped towards the entrance opening.

79. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the parcel object actuatorcomprises an actuated sliding arm that is operative when actuated tocontact the object being shipped and at least slide the object beingshipped towards the entrance opening.

80. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the parcel object actuatorcomprises an actuated grabbing arm operative when actuated to engage theobject being shipped, move the object being shipped towards and throughthe entrance opening, and place the object being shipped with thedispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle.

81. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the parcel object actuatorcomprises an actuated moving surface that temporarily maintains theobject deposited for shipment, wherein the actuated moving surface isoperative when actuated to move while supporting the object beingshipped to cause the object being shipped to move towards the entranceopening.

82. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the logistics receptaclecomprises a drop box receptacle.

83. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the logistics receptaclecomprises a locker receptacle having a plurality of secure storageenclosures, wherein the storage enclosure defining the temporary storagearea within which the object is temporarily maintained is one of thesecure storage enclosures.

84. The apparatus of embodiment 71, wherein the logistics receptaclefurther comprising a docking interface disposed on the exterior of thelogistics receptacle and extending from the storage enclosure as acontact registration point for engaging the dispatched mobile autonomousdelivery vehicle when the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicleapproaches the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle apparatus as partof the authorized pickup logistics operation.

85. The apparatus of embodiment 84, wherein the contact registrationpoint comprises a mated alignment interface configured to fit with acorresponding mated alignment interface on the dispatched mobileautonomous delivery vehicle when the dispatched mobile autonomousdelivery vehicle approaches and engages the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle apparatus as part of the authorized pickup logisticsoperation.

86. The apparatus of embodiment 84, wherein docking interface comprisesan extended engagement barrier disposed on the exterior of the logisticsreceptacle and below the entrance opening.

87. The apparatus of embodiment 86, wherein docking interface comprisesa set of latches disposed on an outward peripheral edge of the extendedengagement barrier, the set of latches configured to mate with a set ofcomplementary latches on the dispatched mobile autonomous deliveryvehicle.

88. The apparatus of embodiment 86, wherein the set of latches comprisesa set of recessed latches.

89. The apparatus of embodiment 86, wherein the set of latches comprisesa set of actuated latches activated by the controller to move and engagea mated set of latches on the dispatched mobile autonomous deliveryvehicle to secure the dispatched mobile autonomous delivery vehicle tothe extended engagement barrier of the logistics receptacle.

90. A method of performing a dispatched logistics operation for adeliverable item maintained within a remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and adispatch server, the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly having atleast a modular mobility base propelling the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power module providing power forthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular cargo storagesystem configured to at least temporarily maintain the deliverable itemwithin the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modularmobile autonomy control module that autonomously controls operation ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly during the dispatchedlogistics operation, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   detecting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle,        deposit of the deliverable item based upon sensor data generated        by a sensor within the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;    -   transmitting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, a        dispatch request message to the dispatch server in response to        the detected deposit of the deliverable item, the dispatch        request message including shipping information on the        deliverable item and identifier information on the        remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;    -   receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command        comprising at least        -   identifier information on the deliverable item based upon            the shipping information,        -   transport parameters on the deliverable item based upon the            shipping information,        -   destination delivery information related to pickup of the            deliverable item, and        -   pickup authentication information related to the modular            autonomous bot assembly as an authorized pickup entity for            the deliverable item;    -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular        mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the        modular cargo storage system are compatible with transporting        the deliverable item as part of the dispatched logistics        operation for the deliverable item based upon the dispatch        command;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from a bot storage        location to a location of the remotely-actuated logistics        receptacle as identified by the destination delivery information        in the dispatch command;    -   broadcasting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        pickup authentication signal when the modular autonomous bot        apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of        the location of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move to a receiving        position proximate an access door on the remotely-actuated        logistics receptacle upon arrival at the location of the        remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;    -   detecting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, the        pickup authentication signal from the modular mobile autonomy        control module;    -   authenticating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle,        that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is the        authorized pickup entity for the deliverable item when        authentication information in the pickup authentication signal        correlates to the pickup authentication information from the        dispatch command;    -   activating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, a        door actuator on the remotely actuated logistics receptacle        after authenticating that the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly is the authorized pickup entity based upon the pickup        authentication signal, wherein activating the door actuator        causing the access door on the remotely-actuated logistics        receptacle to move from a secure closed position to an open        position;    -   broadcasting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        ready confirmation signal once the modular mobility base is        located at the receiving position proximate the access door on        the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;    -   activating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, a        parcel object actuator on the remotely-actuated logistics        receptacle in response to the ready confirmation signal from the        modular mobile autonomy control module and only if the        authentication information in the pickup authentication signal        correlates to the pickup authentication information from the        dispatch command, wherein activating the parcel object actuator        moves the deliverable item from where it is maintained in the        remotely-actuated logistics receptacle and into the custody of        the modular cargo storage system; and    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the        remotely-actuated logistics receptacle to a destination location        for delivery of the deliverable item, the destination location        being identified as part of the destination delivery information        from the dispatch command.

91. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of detecting thepickup authentication signal comprises:

-   -   detecting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, an        advertising signal from the modular mobile autonomy control        module;    -   establishing a secure association between the remotely-actuated        logistics receptacle and the modular mobile autonomy control        module after detecting the advertising signal and by generating        association data stored on the remotely-actuated logistics        receptacle indicating the secure association and allowing secure        sharing of information between the remotely-actuated logistics        receptacle and the modular mobile autonomy control module,        wherein the secure association being pre-authorized by the        dispatch server as it relates to the dispatched logistics        operation for the deliverable item;    -   securely transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the pickup authentication signal to the        remotely-actuated logistics receptacle once the secure        association is established and the association data is        generated; and    -   securely receiving, by the remotely-actuated logistics        receptacle, the pickup authentication signal from the modular        mobile autonomy control module.

92. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating theparcel object actuator further comprises causing the parcel objectactuator to remove the deliverable item from the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle and transfer the deliverable item to anarticulating object receiver on the modular cargo storage system beingcontrolled by the modular mobile autonomy control module.

93. The method of embodiment 92, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by the articulating object receiver on the modular        cargo storage system under control of the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the deliverable item from the parcel        object actuator on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;        and    -   placing, by the articulating object receiver on the modular        cargo storage system under control of the modular mobile        autonomy control module, the deliverable item within the modular        cargo storage system.

94. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the articulating objectreceiver comprises one from the group consisting of an actuated slidingarm, an actuated grabbing arm, and an actuated belt surface.

95. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating theparcel object actuator comprises activating, by the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle, an actuated support base within a storagecompartment of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response tothe ready confirmation signal, wherein activating the actuated supportbase causes the actuated support base to tilt towards an entranceopening to the storage compartment at the access door and causing thedeliverable item to at least slide towards the entrance opening.

96. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating theparcel object actuator comprises activating, by the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle, an actuated pushing arm within a storagecompartment of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response tothe ready confirmation signal, wherein activating the actuated pushingarm causes the actuated pushing arm to contact the deliverable item andat least push the deliverable item towards an entrance opening to thestorage compartment at the access door.

97. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating theparcel object actuator comprises activating, by the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle, an actuated sliding arm within a storagecompartment of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response tothe ready confirmation signal, wherein activating the actuated slidingarm causes the actuated sliding arm to contact the deliverable item andat least slide the deliverable item towards an entrance opening to thestorage compartment at the access door.

98. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating theparcel object actuator comprises activating, by the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle, an actuated grabbing arm within a storagecompartment of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response tothe ready confirmation signal, wherein activating the actuated grabbingarm causes the actuated grabbing arm to engage the deliverable item,move the deliverable item towards and through an entrance opening to thestorage compartment at the access door, and place the deliverable iteminto the modular cargo storage system.

99. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating theparcel object actuator comprises activating, by the remotely-actuatedlogistics receptacle, an actuated belt surface in response to the readyconfirmation signal, the actuated belt surface temporarily supportingthe deliverable item within a storage compartment of theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle, wherein activating the actuatedbelt surface causes the actuated moving surface to move the deliverableitem towards and through an entrance opening to the storage compartmentat the access door.

100. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the destination deliveryinformation related to pickup of the deliverable item comprises anidentifier of one of a plurality of secure storage enclosures within theremotely-actuated logistics receptacle that temporarily maintains thedeliverable item.

101. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of activating thedoor actuator comprises activating, by the remotely-actuated logisticsreceptacle, the door actuator on the remotely actuated logisticsreceptacle (a) after authenticating that the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly is the authorized pickup entity based upon the pickupauthentication signal and (b) after receiving a door activation requestsignal from the modular mobile autonomy control module.

102. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of verifying thateach of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem are compatible with transporting the deliverable item as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation for the deliverable item based uponthe dispatch command comprises verifying that at least the modular cargostorage system is compatible with a size of the deliverable itemaccording to the transport parameters identified on the deliverable itemin the dispatch command.

103. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of verifying thateach of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem are compatible with transporting the deliverable item as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation for the deliverable item based uponthe dispatch command comprises verifying that at least the modular cargostorage system is compatible with a weight of the deliverable itemaccording to the transport parameters on the deliverable item identifiedin the dispatch command.

104. The method of embodiment 90, wherein the step of verifying thateach of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobilitybase, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storagesystem are compatible with transporting the deliverable item as part ofthe dispatched logistics operation for the deliverable item based uponthe dispatch command comprises:

-   -   verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that        at least the modular cargo storage system is compatible with the        transport parameters on the deliverable item identified in the        dispatch command; and    -   transmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        configuration change request to the dispatch server if the at        least modular cargo storage system is verified to be        incompatible with the transport parameters on the deliverable        item, the configuration change request identifying that the at        least modular cargo storage system are incompatible with the        transport parameters on the deliverable item.

105. The method of embodiment 104, wherein the step of transmitting theconfiguration change request to the dispatch server comprisestransmitting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, theconfiguration change request to the dispatch server if the at leastmodular cargo storage system is verified to be incompatible with thetransport parameters on the deliverable item prior to when the modularmobile autonomy control module causes the modular mobility base to movefrom the bot storage location.

106. The method of embodiment 90, further comprising the step ofinitiating, by the dispatch server, a configuration change operation onthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly to change at least one ofthe modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base,the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage systemthat are verified to be incompatible with transporting the deliverableitem as part of the dispatched logistics operation for the deliverableitem based upon the dispatch command prior to when the modular mobileautonomy control module causes the modular mobility base to move fromthe bot storage location.

107. A method of performing a dispatched hold-at-location logisticsoperation for a deliverable item from an origin location using a modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly operating as a temporaryhold-at-location logistics receptacle and a dispatch server, the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly having at least a modular mobilitybase propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modularauxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to atleast temporarily maintain the deliverable item within the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy controlmodule that autonomously controls operation of the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly during the dispatched logistics operation fromthe hold-at-location logistics facility, the method comprising the stepsof:

-   -   (a) receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a        delivery dispatch command for the dispatched hold-at-location        logistics operation from the dispatch server, the delivery        dispatch command comprising at least        -   identifier information on the deliverable item,        -   transport parameters on the deliverable item,        -   hold-at-location information related to an intermediate hold            location for the deliverable item as maintained within the            modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and        -   delivery authentication information related to an authorized            delivery recipient of the deliverable item;    -   (b) verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the        modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and        the modular cargo storage system are compatible with the        dispatched hold-at-location logistics operation for the        deliverable item based upon the delivery dispatch command;    -   (c) receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the        deliverable item into a payload area within the modular cargo        storage system at the origin location;    -   (d) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the original on a        route to the intermediate hold location identified by the        hold-at-location information;    -   (e) notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        the authorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of an        approaching arrival at the intermediate hold location when the        modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold        notification range of the intermediate hold location identified        by the hold-at-location information;    -   (f) receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the        modular mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient        disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus        assembly at the intermediate hold location;    -   (g) providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective        access to the deliverable item within the modular cargo storage        system only when the delivery recipient authentication input        correlates to the delivery authentication information indicating        that the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient;    -   (h) monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module,        unloading of the deliverable item from within the modular cargo        storage system using one or more sensors on at least one of the        modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo        storage system; and    -   (i) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        hold location on a return route to the origin location after the        deliverable item is no longer detected within the modular cargo        storage system.

108. The method of embodiment 107, wherein the intermediate holdlocation comprises a hold-at-location logistics facility.

109. The method of embodiment 107, wherein the intermediate holdlocation comprises a location of a mobile external wireless nodedesignated as part of the hold-at-location information.

110. The method of embodiment 109, wherein the mobile external wirelessnode comprises a delivery vehicle master node disposed with a deliveryvehicle.

111. The method of embodiment 109, wherein the mobile external wirelessnode comprises a delivery courier master node operated by deliverypersonnel.

112. The method of embodiment 109, wherein the mobile external wirelessnode comprises a user access device operated by the authorized deliveryrecipient.

113. The method of embodiment 109, wherein the mobile external wirelessnode comprises a mobile master node operated by a designated alternativerecipient identified by the authorized delivery recipient according tothe hold-at-location information and the delivery authenticationinformation.

114. The method of embodiment 108, wherein the steps of (f) receivingdelivery recipient authentication input and (g) providing selectiveaccess to the deliverable item comprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to wait at the intermediate        hold location for at least until a pre-determined closing time        of the hold-at-location facility; and    -   providing, by the modular cargo storage system at the direction        of the modular mobile autonomy control module, selective access        to the deliverable item when the modular mobile autonomy control        module detects the delivery recipient authentication input and        determines the detected delivery authentication input indicates        the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient        authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient and        the pre-determined deadline for closing of the hold-at-location        facility has not expired.

115. The method of embodiment 114, wherein the steps of (f)-(i)comprises:

-   -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to wait at the intermediate        hold location for at least until a pre-determined closing time        of the hold-at-location facility;    -   monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, for        receipt of delivery recipient authentication input from the        authorized delivery recipient according to the delivery        authentication information;    -   autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control        module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate        hold location to the origin location when the pre-determined        deadline for closing of the hold-at-location facility has        expired and the monitoring has not indicated receipt of the        delivery recipient authentication input from the authorized        delivery recipient; and    -   repeating steps (d)-(i) after a subsequent pre-determined        opening time of the hold-at-location facility.

Further Embodiment N—Methods and Systems for Navigating to a DesignatedShipping Location as Part of a Multi-leg Logistics Operation Using aWireless Node Network and Multiple Node-Enabled Autonomous TransportVehicles in the Network

1. A method for navigating to a designated shipping location as part ofa multi-leg logistics operation using a plurality of nodes in a wirelessnode network, a server in the network, and a plurality of node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles in the network, comprising:

-   -   detecting, by a first mobile master node of the plurality of        nodes, a signal broadcast from a second mobile master node of        the plurality of nodes, wherein the first mobile master node is        associated with a first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles and the second mobile master node is associated with a        second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   instructing, by the first mobile master node, the second mobile        master node to alter a power level of the signal broadcast from        the second mobile master node;    -   identifying, by the first mobile master node, the signal        broadcast from the second mobile master node with the altered        power level;    -   determining, by the first mobile master node, a direction of the        second mobile master node relative to the first mobile master        node based upon the detected signal from the second mobile        master node with the altered power level;    -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, to the second        mobile master node associated with the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles based upon the        determined direction of the second mobile master node relative        to the first mobile master node;    -   transferring at least one item as payload from the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles at a waypoint        location of the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles;    -   detecting, by the second mobile master node, a signal broadcast        from another of the plurality of nodes, the another node being        associated with the designated shipping location for the        payload;    -   instructing, by the second mobile master node, the another node        to alter a power level of the signal broadcast from the another        node;    -   identifying, by the second mobile master node, the signal        broadcast from the another node with the altered power level;    -   determining, by the second mobile master node, a direction of        the another node relative to the second mobile master node based        upon the detected signal from the another node with the altered        power level; and    -   navigating, by the second mobile master node, to the another        node based upon the determined direction of the another node        relative to the second mobile master node.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of transferring the atleast one item as payload comprises transferring a payload container asthe payload from the first of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles to the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclesat a waypoint location of the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles, the payload container maintaining the at least oneitem.

3. The method of embodiment 1 further comprising the step of initiating,by the second mobile master node, an offload operation of the at leastone item as the payload at the designated shipping location using anobject manipulating system on the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles.

4. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the designated shipping locationis in the courier transport vehicle.

5. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the designated shipping locationis at a delivery address for the at least one item.

6. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the offload operation of the atleast one item as the payload at the designated shipping locationcomprises initiating, by the second mobile master node, the offloadoperation of a payload container maintaining the at least one item asthe payload at the designated shipping location using an objectmanipulating system on the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles to obtain and move the payload container.

7. The method of embodiment 1 further comprising the step of initiating,by the first mobile master node, a loading operation of the at least oneitem as the payload at a pickup location using an object manipulatingsystem on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

8. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the pickup location is in thecourier transport vehicle.

9. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the pickup location is at apickup address for the at least one item.

10. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the loading operation of the atleast one item as the payload at the pickup location comprisesinitiating, by the first mobile master node, a loading operation of apayload container maintaining the at least one item as the payload atthe pickup location using an object manipulating system on the first ofthe node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to obtain and move thepayload container.

11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   detecting the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by a proximity sensor on the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles, as the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles navigates towards and approaches        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   causing, by the first mobile master node, a transfer alignment        configuration of the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles as the first mobile master node controls        movement of the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles; and    -   initiating, by the first mobile master node, transfer of the at        least one item from the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles while the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles and the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles are in the transfer alignment        configuration.

12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises the first mobile master nodealigning a first docking interface disposed on the first of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with a second dockinginterface disposed on the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles as the first mobile master node controls movement ofthe first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

13. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises:

-   -   aligning, by the first mobile master node, a first docking        interface disposed on the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles with a second docking interface disposed on        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as        the first mobile master node controls movement of the first of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   securing the first docking interface to the second docking        interface to create the transfer alignment orientation.

14. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the initiating step comprises:

-   -   deploying, by the first mobile master node, an object        manipulation system on the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to initiate control of the at least one item        while on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles; and    -   moving, by the first mobile master node, the at least one item        from the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        to the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        using the object manipulation system on the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   detecting the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by a proximity sensor on the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles, as the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles navigates towards and approaches        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   causing, by the second mobile master node, a transfer alignment        configuration of the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles as the second mobile master node controls        movement of the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles relative to the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles; and    -   initiating, by the second mobile master node, transfer of the at        least one item from the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles while the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles are in the transfer alignment        configuration.

16. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises the second mobile master nodealigning a second docking interface disposed on the second of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with a first dockinginterface disposed on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles as the second mobile master node controls movement of thesecond of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles relative to thefirst of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

17. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises:

-   -   aligning, by the second mobile master node, a second docking        interface disposed on the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles with a first docking interface disposed on        the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as        the second mobile master node controls movement of the second of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles relative to the        first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   securing the second docking interface to the first docking        interface to create the transfer alignment orientation.

18. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the initiating step comprises:

-   -   deploying, by the second mobile master node, an object        manipulation system on the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to initiate control of the at least one item        while on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles; and    -   moving, by the second mobile master node, the at least one item        from the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        to the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        using the object manipulation system on the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, to the waypoint        location of the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles;    -   detecting the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by a proximity sensor on the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles, as the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles navigates towards and approaches        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   detecting the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by a proximity sensor on the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles, as the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles navigates towards and approaches        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   controlling, by the first mobile master node, a position of the        first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles by        moving the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles into a first transfer position;    -   controlling, by the second mobile master node, a position of the        second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles by        moving the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles into a second transfer position;    -   refining the relative alignment of the first transfer position        and the second transfer position to cause the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to be in a transfer        alignment orientation; and    -   moving the at least one item from the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles to the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles using a first object manipulation        system on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles and a second object manipulation system on the second        of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

20. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of navigating to thesecond mobile master node further comprises navigating, by the firstmobile master node, to the second mobile master node as the power levelof the signal broadcast from the second mobile master node isincrementally decreased over time as the first mobile master nodeapproaches the second mobile master node; and

-   -   wherein the step of navigating to the another node further        comprises navigating, by the second mobile master node, to the        another node as the power level of the signal broadcast from the        another node is incrementally decreased over time and as the        second mobile master node approaches the another node.

21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the first mobile master node isassociated with a control system of the first of the autonomoustransport vehicles and the second mobile master node is associated witha control system of the second of the autonomous transport vehicles;

-   -   wherein the step of navigating by the first mobile master node        further comprises providing, by the first mobile master node,        the determined direction of the second mobile master node        relative to the first mobile master node to an input of the        control system of the first of the autonomous transport        vehicles; and    -   wherein the step of navigating by the second mobile master node        further comprises providing, by the second mobile master node,        the determined direction of the another node relative to the        second mobile master node to an input of the control system of        the second of the autonomous transport vehicles.

22. The method of embodiment 21 further comprising the steps of:

-   -   causing, by the first mobile master node, the first of the        autonomous transport vehicles to stop moving when a current        location of the first mobile master node is within a        predetermined range of the second mobile master node; and    -   causing, by the second mobile master node, the second of the        autonomous transport vehicles to stop moving when a current        location of the second mobile master node is within a        predetermined range of the another node.

23. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of navigating by thefirst mobile master node further comprises:

-   -   accessing first context data that relates to an operating        environment of the second mobile master node; and    -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, to the second        mobile master node with reference to the accessed first context        data as the power level of the signal broadcast from the second        mobile master node is incrementally decreased over time and as        the first mobile master node approaches the second mobile master        node; and    -   wherein the step of navigating by the second mobile master node        further comprises        -   accessing second context data that relates to an operating            environment of the another node; and        -   navigating, by the second mobile master node, to the another            node with reference to the accessed second context data as            the power level of the signal broadcast from the another            node is incrementally decreased over time and as the second            mobile master node approaches the another node.

24. The method of embodiment 1 further comprising:

-   -   transmitting, by the first mobile master node to the server, an        updated location of the first mobile master node as the first        mobile master node approaches the second mobile master node; and    -   transmitting, by the second mobile master node to the server, an        updated location of the second mobile master node as the second        mobile master node approaches the another node.

25. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the updated location of thefirst mobile master node is determined using location circuitry on thefirst mobile master node and the updated location of the second mobilemaster node is determined using location circuitry on the second mobilemaster node.

26. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the first mobile master node isassociated with a control system of the first of the autonomoustransport vehicles and the second mobile master node is associated witha control system of the second of the autonomous transport vehicles;

-   -   wherein the updated location of the first mobile master node is        determined based at least in part upon a determined position        from a first inertial navigation unit deployed on the first of        the autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   wherein the updated location of the second mobile master node is        determined based at least in part upon a determined position        from a second inertial navigation unit deployed on the second of        the autonomous transport vehicles.

27. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly having a modular mobility base propelling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power moduleproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, amodular cargo storage system configured to at least temporarily maintainthe at least one item within the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module as the firstmobile master node that autonomously controls operation of the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly.

28. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly having a modular mobility base propelling the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power moduleproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, amodular cargo storage system configured to at least receive andtemporarily maintain the at least one item within the modular autonomousbot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module asthe second mobile master node that autonomously controls operation ofthe modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

29. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   detecting the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by a proximity sensor on the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles, as the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles navigates towards and approaches        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   causing, by the first mobile master node, a transfer alignment        configuration of the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles as the first mobile master node controls        movement of the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles and remotely controls movement of the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles through interaction        with the second mobile master node; and    -   initiating, by the first mobile master node, transfer of the at        least one item from the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles while the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles and the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles are in the transfer alignment        configuration.

30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises the first mobile master nodealigning a first docking interface disposed on the first of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with a second dockinginterface disposed on the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles as the first mobile master node controls movement ofthe first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and remotelycontrols movement of the second of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles through wireless interaction with the second mobile masternode.

31. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises:

-   -   aligning, by the first mobile master node, a first docking        interface disposed on the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles with a second docking interface disposed on        the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as        the first mobile master node controls movement of the first of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and remotely        controls movement of the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles through wireless interaction with the second        mobile master node; and    -   securing the first docking interface to the second docking        interface to create the transfer alignment orientation.

32. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the initiating step comprises:

-   -   deploying, by the first mobile master node, an object        manipulation system on the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to initiate control of the at least one item        while on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles; and    -   moving, by the first mobile master node, the at least one item        from the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        to the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        using the object manipulation system on the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

33. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   detecting the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by a proximity sensor on the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles, as the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles navigates towards and approaches        the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   causing, by the second mobile master node, a transfer alignment        configuration of the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles as the second mobile master node controls        movement of the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles and remotely controls movement of the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles through interaction        with the first mobile master node; and    -   initiating, by the second mobile master node, transfer of the at        least one item from the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles while the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles and the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles are in the transfer alignment        configuration.

34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises the seconding mobile master nodealigning a second docking interface disposed on the second of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with a first dockinginterface disposed on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles as the second mobile master node controls movement of thesecond of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and remotelycontrols movement of the first of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles through wireless interaction with the first mobile master node.

35. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the first of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the second of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles comprises:

-   -   aligning, by the second mobile master node, a second docking        interface disposed on the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles with a first docking interface disposed on        the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as        the second mobile master node controls movement of the second of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and remotely        controls movement of the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles through wireless interaction with the first        mobile master node; and    -   securing the first docking interface to the second docking        interface to create the transfer alignment orientation.

36. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the initiating step comprises:

-   -   deploying, by the second mobile master node, an object        manipulation system on the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to initiate control of the at least one item        while on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles; and    -   moving, by the second mobile master node, the at least one item        from the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        to the second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        using the object manipulation system on the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

37. A system for navigating to a designated shipping location with anitem being shipped as part of a multi-leg autonomous logistics operationfor the item being shipped, comprising:

-   -   a primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle comprising        at least        -   a primary mobile transport vehicle base,        -   a primary steering and propulsion system configured to            control and move the primary mobile transport vehicle base            in response to a first onboard control input,        -   a primary payload storage disposed on the primary mobile            transport vehicle base, the primary payload storage being            configured to temporarily maintain at least one object,        -   a first mobile master node as one of a plurality of nodes in            a wireless node network, the first mobile master node being            disposed on the primary mobile transport vehicle base and            operative to provide the first onboard control input to the            primary steering and propulsion system,        -   a first master node memory coupled to the first mobile            master node, the first master node memory for maintaining at            least a first autonomous navigation program module operative            to be executed by the first mobile master node,        -   a primary wireless communication interface coupled to the            first mobile master node, and        -   a primary object manipulation system configured to            manipulate contents of the payload area;    -   a secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle comprising        at least        -   a secondary mobile transport vehicle base,        -   a secondary steering and propulsion system configured to            control and move the secondary mobile transport vehicle base            in response to a second onboard control input,        -   a secondary payload storage disposed on the secondary mobile            transport vehicle base, the secondary payload storage being            configured to temporarily maintain the at least one object,        -   a second mobile master node as another of the plurality of            nodes in a wireless node network, the second mobile master            node being disposed on the secondary mobile transport            vehicle base and operative to provide the second onboard            control input to the secondary steering and propulsion            system,        -   a second master node memory coupled to the second mobile            master node, the second master node memory for maintaining a            second autonomous navigation program module operative to be            executed by the second mobile master node,        -   a secondary wireless communication interface coupled to the            first mobile master node, and        -   a secondary object manipulation system configured to            manipulate contents of the secondary payload storage;    -   wherein the first mobile master node, when executing the first        autonomous navigation program module, is further operative to        -   detect a signal broadcast from the second mobile master node            via the primary wireless communication interface,        -   transmit an instruction over the primary wireless            communication interface to the second mobile master node to            alter a power level of the signal broadcast from the second            mobile master node,        -   identify the signal broadcast from the second mobile master            node with the altered power level,        -   determine a direction of the second mobile master node            relative to the first mobile master node based upon the            detected signal from the second mobile master node with the            altered power level,        -   generate a value of the first onboard control input to cause            the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to            navigate to the second mobile master node based upon the            determined direction of the second mobile master node            relative to the first mobile master node,        -   cause the primary object manipulation system to transfer the            item being shipped as payload from the primary payload            storage disposed on the primary mobile transport vehicle            base to the secondary payload storage disposed on the            secondary mobile transport vehicle base once the primary            node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle is at a waypoint            location of the secondary node-enabled autonomous transport            vehicle; and    -   wherein the second mobile master node, when executing the second        autonomous navigation program module, is further operative to        -   detect a signal broadcast from another node associated with            the designated shipping location for the payload,        -   transmit an instruction over the secondary wireless            communication interface to the another node to alter a power            level of the signal broadcast from the another node,        -   identify the signal broadcast from the another node with the            altered power level,        -   determine a direction of the another node relative to the            second mobile master node based upon the detected signal            from the another node with the altered power level,        -   generate a value of the second onboard control input to            cause the secondary node-enabled autonomous transport            vehicle to navigate to the another node based upon the            determined direction of the another node relative to the            second mobile master node, and        -   cause the secondary object manipulation system to transfer            the item being shipped off the secondary mobile transport            vehicle base to at the designated shipping location.

38. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the primary payload storagebeing configured to temporarily maintain a payload container thattemporarily maintains the at least one object;

-   -   wherein the secondary payload storage being configured to        temporarily maintain the payload container that temporarily        maintains the at least one object;    -   wherein the first mobile master node, when executing the first        autonomous navigation program module, is operative to cause the        primary object manipulation system to transfer the item being        shipped as the payload from the primary payload storage disposed        on the primary mobile transport vehicle base to the secondary        payload storage disposed on the secondary mobile transport        vehicle base by being further operative to cause the primary        object manipulation system to transfer the payload container        with the item being shipped from the primary payload storage        disposed on the primary mobile transport vehicle base to the        secondary payload storage disposed on the secondary mobile        transport vehicle base; and    -   wherein the second mobile master node, when executing the second        autonomous navigation program module, is operative to cause the        secondary object manipulation system to transfer the item being        shipped off the secondary mobile transport vehicle base to at        the designated shipping location by being further operative to        cause the secondary object manipulation system to transfer the        payload container with the item being shipped off the secondary        mobile transport vehicle base to at the designated shipping        location.

39. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the second mobile master node,when executing the second autonomous navigation program module, isfurther operative to initiate an offload operation of the at least oneobject as the payload at the designated shipping location using thesecondary object manipulating system on the secondary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle.

40. The system of embodiment 39, wherein the designated shippinglocation is in the courier transport vehicle.

41. The system of embodiment 39, wherein the designated shippinglocation is at a delivery address for the at least one object.

42. The system of embodiment 38, wherein the second mobile master node,when executing the second autonomous navigation program module, isfurther operative to initiate an offload operation of the payloadcontainer the at least one object as the payload at the designatedshipping location using the secondary object manipulating system on thesecondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to obtain thepayload container and remove the payload container from the secondarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle.

43. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the first mobile master node,when executing the first autonomous navigation program module, isfurther operative to initiate a loading operation of the at least oneobject as the payload at a pickup location using the primary objectmanipulating system on the primary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle.

44. The system of embodiment 43, wherein the pickup location is in thecourier transport vehicle.

45. The system of embodiment 43, wherein the pickup location is at apickup address for the at least one object.

46. The system of embodiment 38, wherein the first mobile master node,when executing the first autonomous navigation program module, isfurther operative to initiate a loading operation of the payloadcontainer with at least one object as the payload at a pickup locationusing the primary object manipulating system on the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle to obtain the payload container and loadthe payload container onto the primary node-enabled autonomous transportvehicle.

47. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the first mobile master node,when executing the first autonomous navigation program module, isoperative to generate the value of the first onboard control input tocause the primary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to navigateto the second mobile master node by being further operative to generatethe value of the first onboard control input to cause the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle to navigate to a seconddocking interface disposed on the secondary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle based upon the determined direction of the secondmobile master node relative to the first mobile master node and engage afirst docking interface disposed on the primary node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicle at the waypoint location of the secondary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle; and

-   -   wherein the first mobile master node, when executing the first        autonomous navigation program module, is operative to cause the        primary object manipulation system to transfer the item being        shipped once the first docking interface on the primary        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle is secured to the        second docking interface on the secondary node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicle at the waypoint location.

48. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the first mobile master node,when executing the first autonomous navigation program module, isfurther operative to transmit an updated location of the first mobilemaster node to a server over the primary wireless communicationinterface as the first mobile master node approaches the second mobilemaster node; and

-   -   wherein the second mobile master node, when executing the second        autonomous navigation program module, is further operative to        transmit an updated location of the second mobile master node to        the server over the secondary wireless communication interface        as the second mobile master node approaches the first mobile        master node.

49. The system of embodiment 48, wherein the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle further comprises a first locationcircuitry coupled to the first mobile master node;

-   -   wherein the secondary node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle        further comprises a second location circuitry coupled to the        second mobile master node; and    -   wherein the updated location of the first mobile master node is        determined using first location circuitry and the updated        location of the second mobile master node is determined using        second location circuitry.

50. The system of embodiment 48, wherein the first location circuitrycomprises a first inertial navigation unit deployed on the primarynode-enabled autonomous transport vehicle;

-   -   wherein the second location circuitry comprises a second        inertial navigation unit deployed on the secondary node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicle;    -   wherein the updated location of the first mobile master node is        determined based at least in part upon a determined position        from the first inertial navigation unit; and    -   wherein the updated location of the second mobile master node is        determined based at least in part upon a determined position        from the second inertial navigation unit.

51. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the primary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle comprises a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, wherein the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly comprises:

-   -   a modular mobility base configured to propel the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the modular mobility base        comprising        -   the primary mobile transport vehicle base,        -   the primary steering and propulsion system, and        -   a first interface to a common modular component power and            data transport bus;    -   a modular cargo storage system detachably connected to the        modular mobility base and configured to at least temporarily        maintain the at least one object, the modular cargo storage        system comprising        -   the primary payload storage configured to temporarily            maintain the at least one object, and        -   a second interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus; and    -   a modular mobile autonomy control module detachably connected to        the modular cargo storage system, the modular mobile autonomy        control module comprising        -   the first mobile master node,        -   the first master node memory,        -   the primary wireless communication interface, and        -   a third interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus;    -   wherein the common modular component power and data transport        bus coupling the first mobile master node to the primary        steering and propulsion system.

52. The system of embodiment 51, wherein the modular mobility basefurther comprises a primary modular auxiliary power module detachablyconnected to the primary mobile transport vehicle base, the primarymodular auxiliary power module being coupled to the first interface andproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

53. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the secondary node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle comprises a modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, wherein the modular autonomous bot apparatusassembly comprises:

-   -   a modular mobility base configured to propel the modular        autonomous bot apparatus assembly, the modular mobility base        comprising        -   the secondary mobile transport vehicle base,        -   the secondary steering and propulsion system, and        -   a first interface to a common modular component power and            data transport bus;    -   a modular cargo storage system detachably connected to the        modular mobility base and configured to at least temporarily        maintain the at least one object, the modular cargo storage        system comprising        -   the secondary payload storage configured to temporarily            maintain the at least one object, and        -   a second interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus; and    -   a modular mobile autonomy control module detachably connected to        the modular cargo storage system, the modular mobile autonomy        control module comprising        -   the second mobile master node,        -   the second master node memory,        -   the secondary wireless communication interface, and        -   a third interface to the common modular component power and            data transport bus;    -   wherein the common modular component power and data transport        bus coupling the second mobile master node to the secondary        steering and propulsion system.

54. The system of embodiment 53, wherein the modular mobility basefurther comprises a secondary modular auxiliary power module detachablyconnected to the secondary mobile transport vehicle base, the secondarymodular auxiliary power module being coupled to the first interface andproviding power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

55. A method for navigating to a designated shipping location as part ofa multi-leg logistics operation for an item being shipped using aplurality of nodes in a wireless node network, a server in the network,and selective ones of a plurality of node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles in the network, comprising:

-   -   receiving, by a first mobile master node of the plurality of        nodes, logistics information related to an item being shipped on        a primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles,        wherein the first mobile master node is associated with the        primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles,        wherein the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles being responsible for a first leg of the multi-leg        logistics operation;    -   accessing, by the first mobile master node, the logistics        information from a memory on the first mobile master node, the        logistics information indicating a plurality of characteristic        parameters about the item being shipped;    -   selecting, by the first mobile master node, a secondary one of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to be deployed        for a second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation based upon        the logistics information about the item being shipped;    -   detecting, by the first mobile master node, a signal broadcast        from a second mobile master node of the plurality of nodes,        wherein the second mobile master node is associated with the        selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles;    -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, to the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        in a direction determined by the first mobile master node to be        towards the second mobile master node relative to the first        mobile master node based upon the detected signal broadcast from        the second mobile master node;    -   autonomously transferring the item from the primary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        at a waypoint location of the selected secondary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   detecting, by the second mobile master node, a signal broadcast        from another of the plurality of nodes, the another node being        associated with the designated shipping location; and    -   navigating, by the second mobile master node, to the designated        shipping location in a direction determined by the second mobile        master node to be towards the another node relative to the        second mobile master node based upon the detected signal        broadcast from the another node.

56. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of autonomouslytransferring the item comprises transferring a payload container aspayload the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles to the selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles at a waypoint location of the selected secondary oneof the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles, the payload containermaintaining the item.

57. The method of embodiment 55 further comprising the step ofinitiating, by the second mobile master node, an offload operation ofthe item being shipped at the designated shipping location using anobject manipulating system on the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles that is operative to move theitem being shipped off of the selected secondary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles.

58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the designated shippinglocation is at a delivery address for the item being shipped.

59. The method of embodiment 55 further comprising the step ofreceiving, by the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles, the item being shipped.

60. The method of embodiment 59, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped comprises receiving, by the primary one of thenode-enabled transport vehicles the time being shipped into a removablepayload container.

61. The method of embodiment 60 further comprising the step ofinitiating, by the second mobile master node, an offload operation ofthe removable payload container with the item being shipped at thedesignated shipping location using an object manipulating system on theselected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclesthat is operative to move removable payload container with the itembeing shipped off of the selected secondary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles.

62. The method of embodiment 59, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped further comprises initiating, by the first mobile masternode, a load operation of the item being shipped using an objectmanipulating system on the primary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles that is operative to place the item being shippedonto the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

63. The method of embodiment 60, wherein the step of receiving the itembeing shipped further comprises initiating, by the first mobile masternode, a load operation of the removable payload container with the itembeing shipped using an object manipulating system on the primary one ofthe node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles that is operative toplace the removable payload container with the item being shipped ontothe primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

64. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the logistics informationreceived by the first mobile master node comprises at least shippinginformation on where the item is being shipped and context informationabout the item being shipped.

65. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the context informationcomprises weight and size information on the item being shipped.

66. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the context informationcomprises environmental condition requirement information on the itembeing shipped.

67. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the context informationcomprises manipulation requirement information on the item beingshipped.

68. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the context informationcomprises delivery address automation information related to the itembeing shipped.

69. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the context informationcomprises regulatory/compliance information.

70. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of navigating to theselected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclescomprises:

-   -   instructing, by the first mobile master node, the second mobile        master node to alter a power level of the signal broadcast from        the second mobile master node;    -   identifying, by the first mobile master node, the signal        broadcast from the second mobile master node with the altered        power level;    -   determining, by the first mobile master node, the direction        towards the second mobile master node relative to the first        mobile master node based upon the detected signal from the        second mobile master node with the altered power level; and    -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, to the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        in the determined direction towards the second mobile master        node relative to the first mobile master node.

71. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of navigating to thedesignated shipping location comprises:

-   -   instructing, by the second mobile master node, the another node        to alter a power level of the signal broadcast from the another        node;    -   identifying, by the second mobile master node, the signal        broadcast from the another node with the altered power level;    -   determining, by the second mobile master node, the direction        towards the another node relative to the second mobile master        node based upon the detected signal from the another node with        the altered power level; and    -   navigating, by the second mobile master node, to the designated        shipping location in the determined direction towards the        another node relative to the second mobile master node.

72. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of autonomouslytransferring comprises:

-   -   detecting the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles by a proximity sensor on the        primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles,        as the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles navigates towards and approaches the selected secondary        one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   causing, by the first mobile master node, a transfer alignment        configuration of the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles and the selected secondary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as the first mobile        master node controls movement of the primary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   initiating, by the first mobile master node, transfer of the        item being shipped from the primary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles to the selected secondary one of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles while the primary        one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle and the        selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles are in the transfer alignment configuration.

73. The method of embodiment 72, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the primary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles comprises the first mobilemaster node aligning a first docking interface disposed on the primaryone of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with a seconddocking interface disposed on the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as the first mobile masternode controls movement of the primary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles.

74. The method of embodiment 72, wherein the initiating step comprises:

-   -   deploying, by the first mobile master node, an object        manipulation system on the primary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles to initiate control of the item        being shipped while on the primary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   moving, by the first mobile master node, the item being shipped        from the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles to the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles using the object manipulation        system on the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles.

75. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   detecting the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles by a proximity sensor on the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles,        as the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles navigates towards and approaches the selected secondary        one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   causing, by the second mobile master node, a transfer alignment        configuration of the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicle and the selected secondary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as the second mobile        master node controls movement of the selected secondary one of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles relative to the        primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;        and    -   initiating, by the second mobile master node, transfer of the        item being shipped from the primary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles to the selected secondary one of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles while the primary        one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle and the        selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles are in the transfer alignment configuration.

76. The method of embodiment 75, wherein the step of causing thetransfer alignment configuration of the primary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicle and the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles comprises the first mobilemaster node aligning a first docking interface disposed on the primaryone of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles with a seconddocking interface disposed on the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles as the first mobile masternode controls movement of the primary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles.

77. The method of embodiment 75, wherein the initiating step comprises:

-   -   deploying, by the second mobile master node, an object        manipulation system on the selected secondary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to initiate control        of the item being shipped while on the primary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   moving, by the second mobile master node, the item being shipped        from the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles to the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles using the object manipulation        system on the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles.

78. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of transferringcomprises:

-   -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, the primary one of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to the waypoint        location of the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles;    -   detecting the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles by a proximity sensor on the        primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles,        as the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles navigates towards and approaches the selected secondary        one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   detecting the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles by a proximity sensor on the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles,        as the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles navigates towards and approaches the selected secondary        one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles;    -   controlling, by the first mobile master node, a position of the        primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles by        moving the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles into a first transfer position;    -   controlling, by the second mobile master node, a position of the        selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles by moving the selected secondary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles into a second        transfer position;    -   refining the relative alignment of the first transfer position        and the second transfer position to cause the primary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        to be in a transfer alignment orientation; and    -   moving the item being shipped from the primary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        using a first object manipulation system on the primary one of        the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and a second        object manipulation system on the selected secondary one of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

79. The method of embodiment 78, wherein the step of refining therelative alignment of the first transfer position and the secondtransfer position to cause the primary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles and the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to be in the transferalignment orientation comprises causing the first mobile master node toalign a first docking interface disposed on the primary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to a second docking interfacedisposed on the selected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles.

80. The method of embodiment 78, wherein the step of refining therelative alignment of the first transfer position and the secondtransfer position to cause the primary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles and the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to be in the transferalignment orientation comprises causing the second mobile master node toalign a second docking interface disposed on the selected secondary oneof the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to a first dockinginterface disposed on the primary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles.

81. The method of embodiment 78, wherein the step of controlling theposition of the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles by moving the primary one of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles into the first transfer position comprisescontrolling, by the first mobile master node, the position of theprimary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles by movinga first docking interface disposed on the primary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles proximate a second dockinginterface disposed on the selected secondary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles as the first transfer position; and

-   -   wherein the step of controlling the position of the selected        secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles        by moving the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles into the second transfer position        comprises controlling, by the second mobile master node, the        position of the selected secondary one of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles by moving the second docking        interface proximate the first docking interface as the second        transfer position.

82. The method of embodiment 78, wherein the step of refining therelative alignment of the first transfer position and the secondtransfer position to cause the primary one of the node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles and the selected secondary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to be in the transferalignment orientation comprises securing a first docking interfacedisposed on the primary one of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles to a second docking interface disposed on the selectedsecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles tocreate the transfer alignment orientation.

83. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the step of navigating to theselected secondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehiclesfurther comprises navigating, by the first mobile master node, to thesecond mobile master node as the power level of the signal broadcastfrom the second mobile master node is incrementally decreased over timeand as the first mobile master node approaches the second mobile masternode; and

-   -   wherein the step of navigating to the designated shipping        location further comprises navigating, by the second mobile        master node, to the another node as the power level of the        signal broadcast from the another node is incrementally        decreased over time and as the second mobile master node        approaches the another node.

84. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the first mobile master node isassociated with a control system of the primary one of the autonomoustransport vehicles and the second mobile master node is associated witha control system of the selected secondary one of the autonomoustransport vehicles;

-   -   wherein the step of navigating by the first mobile master node        further comprises providing, by the first mobile master node,        the direction determined by the first mobile master node to be        towards the second mobile master node relative to the first        mobile master node to an input of the control system of the        primary one of the autonomous transport vehicles; and    -   wherein the step of navigating by the second mobile master node        further comprises providing, by the second mobile master node,        the direction determined by the second mobile master node to be        towards the another node relative to the second mobile master        node to an input of the control system of the selected secondary        one of the autonomous transport vehicles.

85. The method of embodiment 84 further comprising the steps of:

-   -   causing, by the first mobile master node, the primary one of the        autonomous transport vehicles to stop moving when a current        location of the first mobile master node is within a        predetermined range of the second mobile master node; and    -   causing, by the second mobile master node, the selected        secondary one of the autonomous transport vehicles to stop        moving when a current location of the second mobile master node        is within a predetermined range of the another node.

86. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the primary one of thenode-enabled autonomous transport vehicles comprises a modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly having a modular mobility basepropelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modularauxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to atleast temporarily maintain the at least one item within the modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy controlmodule as the first mobile master node that autonomously controlsoperation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

87. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the selected secondary one ofthe node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles comprises a modularautonomous bot apparatus assembly having a modular mobility basepropelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modularauxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to atleast receive and temporarily maintain the at least one item within themodular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomycontrol module as the second mobile master node that autonomouslycontrols operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly.

88. The method of embodiment 87, wherein the step of selecting thesecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to bedeployed for the second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation isbased upon compatibility of at least the modular cargo storage systemand the item being shipped according to the logistics information.

89. The method of embodiment 87, wherein the step of selecting thesecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to bedeployed for the second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation isbased upon compatibility of at least the modular mobility base and thelogistics information.

90. The method of embodiment 87, wherein the step of selecting thesecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to bedeployed for the second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation isbased upon compatibility of at least the modular auxiliary power moduleand the logistics information.

91. The method of embodiment 87, wherein the step of selecting thesecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to bedeployed for the second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation isbased upon compatibility of at least the modular mobile autonomy controlmodule and the logistics information.

92. The method of embodiment 87, wherein the step of selecting thesecondary one of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles to bedeployed for the second leg of the multi-leg logistics operation isbased upon compatibility of the logistics information as compared withthe combination of the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliarypower module, the modular cargo storage system, and the modular mobileautonomy control module as configured in the modular autonomous botapparatus assembly.

93. A method for navigating to a designated shipping location as part ofa multi-leg logistics operation using a plurality of nodes in a wirelessnode network, a server in the network, and a plurality of node-enabledautonomous transport vehicles in the network, comprising:

-   -   detecting, by a first mobile master node of the plurality of        nodes, a signal broadcast from a second mobile master node of        the plurality of nodes, wherein the first mobile master node is        associated with and disposed on a first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles and the second mobile master node        is associated with and disposed on a second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles;    -   instructing, by the first mobile master node, the second mobile        master node to alter a power level of the signal broadcast from        the second mobile master node;    -   identifying, by the first mobile master node, the signal        broadcast from the second mobile master node with the altered        power level;    -   determining, by the first mobile master node, a direction of the        second mobile master node relative to the first mobile master        node based upon the detected signal from the second mobile        master node with the altered power level;    -   navigating, by the first mobile master node, to the second        mobile master node associated with the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles based upon the        determined direction of the second mobile master node relative        to the first mobile master node;    -   causing, by the first mobile master node, a first docking        interface on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles to securely engage a second docking interface on the        second of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles at a        waypoint location of the second of the node-enable autonomous        transport vehicles as the first mobile master node controls        movement of the first of the node-enabled autonomous transport        vehicles and remotely controls movement of the second of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles through interaction        with the second mobile master node;    -   initiating, by the first mobile master node, transfer of the at        least one item from the first of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles to the second of the node-enabled autonomous        transport vehicles while the first of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles and the second of the node-enabled        autonomous transport vehicles are securely engaged; and    -   causing, by the first mobile master node, the first docking        interface to disengage from the second docking interface after        the at least one item is no longer present on the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles based upon monitoring        by one or more payload monitoring sensors on the first of the        node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

94. The method of embodiment 93, wherein the first docking interface andthe second docking interface comprise at least one mated set of latchesthat has at least one from the mated set of latches being disposed onthe first of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles and amatching other from the mated set of latches being disposed on thesecond of the node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles.

95. The method of embodiment 94, wherein the at least one from the matedset of latches on the first of the node-enabled autonomous transportvehicles comprises an actuated set of latches activated by the firstmobile master node to securely engage the first docking interface to thesecond docking interface.

96. The method of embodiment 94, wherein the matching other from themated set of latches on the second of the node-enabled autonomoustransport vehicles comprises an actuated set of latches activated by thesecond mobile master node to securely engage the first docking interfaceto the second docking interface.

In summary, it should be emphasized that the sequence of operations toperform any of the methods and variations of the methods described inthe embodiments herein are merely exemplary, and that a variety ofsequences of operations may be followed while still being true and inaccordance with the principles of the present invention as understood byone skilled in the art.

At least some portions of exemplary embodiments outlined above may beused in association with portions of other exemplary embodiments tobetter pickup, transport, and deliver items/objects being moved,delivered, transported, or otherwise shipped using an autonomoustransport vehicle, such as modular autonomous logistics vehicletransport (e.g., an exemplary MALVT bot apparatus assembly 1700 and itsvariations described herein). Moreover, at least some of the exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein may be used independently from one anotherand/or in combination with one another and may have applications todevices, components, assemblies, systems, and methods not disclosedherein.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments mayprovide one or more advantages, and not all embodiments described abovenecessarily provide all or more than one particular advantage as setforth here. Additionally, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications and variations can be made to thestructures and methodologies described herein. Thus, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the subject matterdiscussed in the description. Rather, the present invention, as recitedin the embodiments below, is intended to cover modifications andvariations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular mobility base for a modular autonomousbot apparatus that transports an item being shipped, the modularmobility base comprising: a mobile base platform; a modular componentalignment interface disposed on the mobile base platform, the modularalignment interface providing at least one channel into which anothermodular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus can be placedand secured on the mobile base platform; a mobility controller disposedas part of the mobile base platform, the mobility controller beingoperative to generate a propulsion control signal for controlling speedof the modular mobility base and a steering control signal forcontrolling navigation of the modular mobility base; a propulsion systemconnected to the mobile base platform, the propulsion system beingresponsive to the propulsion control signal from the mobility controllerand operative to cause changes to the speed of the modular mobilitybase; a steering system connected to the mobile base platform andcoupled to the propulsion system, the steering system being responsiveto the steering control signal from the mobility controller andoperative to cause changes to directional movement of the modularmobility base; and a plurality of sensors coupled to the mobilitycontroller, wherein each of the sensors being disposed on the mobilebase platform, wherein the sensors being operative to autonomouslygenerate and provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controllerabout a condition of the modular mobility base.
 2. The modular mobilitybase of claim 1, wherein the mobile base platform comprises: a supportbase having the modular alignment interface and the sensors, the supportbase comprising at least (a) a top support surface on which the modularalignment interface is disposed and (b) a plurality of peripheral edgeson which the sensors are disposed; and a set of wheels coupled to thesupport base, wherein at least a first portion of the set of wheelsbeing further coupled to the propulsion system and wherein at least asecond portion of the set of wheels being further coupled to thesteering system.
 3. The modular mobility base of claim 2, wherein theset of wheels comprises a set of tracks.
 4. The modular mobility base ofclaim 2, wherein the mobile base platform further comprises aselectively adjustable suspension system that couples the set of wheelsto the support base, the selectively adjustable suspension systemactivating to change an oriented configuration of the support baserelative to the set of wheels from a first orientation state to a secondorientation state in response to a support base orientation controlsignal from the mobility controller.
 5. The modular mobility base ofclaim 4, wherein the oriented configuration of the support basecomprises a lifted attitude orientation.
 6. The modular mobility base ofclaim 4, wherein the oriented configuration of the support basecomprises a tilted attitude orientation.
 7. The modular mobility base ofclaim 4, wherein the oriented configuration of the support basecomprises a combination lift and tilt attitude orientation.
 8. Themodular mobility base of claim 4, wherein the selectively adjustablesuspension system comprises a plurality of actuators individuallyresponsive to one of a plurality of actuator control signals as part ofthe support base orientation control signal from the mobilitycontroller.
 9. The modular mobility base of claim 4, wherein themobility controller generates the support base orientation controlsignal to cause the selectively adjustable suspension system to activateand change the oriented configuration of the support base relative tothe set of wheels from the first orientation state to the secondorientation state based upon and in response to feedback sensor datafrom at least one of the sensors.
 10. The modular mobility base of claim4, wherein the mobility controller generates the support baseorientation control signal to cause the selectively adjustablesuspension system to activate and change the oriented configuration ofthe support base relative to the set of wheels from the firstorientation state to the second orientation state based upon and inresponse to a control command from the another modular component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus.
 11. The modular mobility base of claim4 further comprising a wireless transceiver operatively coupled to themobility controller, the wireless transceiver providing a bi-directionalwireless data path between the mobility controller and an externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus;and wherein the mobility controller generates the support baseorientation control signal to cause the selectively adjustablesuspension system to activate and change the oriented configuration ofthe support base relative to the set of wheels from the firstorientation state to the second orientation state based upon and inresponse to a wireless control command from the external wireless nodedisposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus.
 12. Themodular mobility base of claim 2, wherein the modular componentalignment interface comprises: a registration interface disposed on thetop support surface of the mobile base platform as the at least onechannel into which the another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus can be placed and secured on the mobile baseplatform; and a coupling receiver disposed on the top support surface ofthe mobile base platform, the coupling receiver providing a securereceiving latch element for a mated coupling latch element on theanother modular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus,wherein the secure receiving latch element being operative totemporarily attach to the mated coupling latch element on the anothermodular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.
 13. Themodular mobility base of claim 12, wherein the registration interfacecomprises a plurality of raised alignment channels.
 14. The modularmobility base of claim 12, wherein the registration interface comprisesa plurality of recessed alignment channels.
 15. The modular mobilitybase of claim 12, wherein the registration interface comprises aplurality of alignment channels where each of the alignment channels aredisposed proximate one of the peripheral edges of the support base. 16.The module mobility base of claim 12, wherein the secure receiving latchelement comprises an interlocking latch element for a mated interlockingcoupling latch element on the another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus.
 17. The modular mobility base of claim 12,wherein the modular component alignment interface further comprising amodular component electronics interface disposed on the top supportsurface of the mobile base platform, the modular component electronicsinterface being operatively coupled to the mobility controller as apower and data mated interface to at least the another modular componentof the modular autonomous bot apparatus.
 18. The modular mobility baseof claim 17 further comprising an onboard power source that supplieselectrical power to at least the mobility controller, the propulsionsystem, the steering system, and the sensors; and wherein the power anddata mated interface is operatively connected to the onboard powersource, the power and data mated interface further including a poweroutput connection that provides electrical power to the another modularcomponent of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.
 19. The modularmobility base of claim 18 further comprising an onboard power controllerthat selectively applies the electrical power to at least the mobilitycontroller, the propulsion system, the steering system, and the sensorsfrom the one of the onboard power source, from an external power source,and both the onboard power source and the external power source; andwherein the power and data mated interface further including a powerinput connection that receives externally supplied electrical power fromthe external power source.
 20. The modular mobility base of claim 12,wherein the modular component electronics interface comprising a modularmated bus interface connection for relaying feedback sensor data fromthe sensors coupled to the mobility controller and for receiving controlcommands that responsively causes the mobility controller to generatethe propulsion control signal and the steering control signal.
 21. Themodular mobility base of claim 2, wherein the propulsion systemcomprises at least one motor coupled to at least one in the set ofwheels, the motor being responsive to the propulsion control signal fromthe mobility controller to alter rotation of the at least one in the setof wheels.
 22. The modular mobility base of claim 2, wherein thepropulsion system comprises a set of motors coupled to respective onesin the set of wheels, the set of motors being responsive to thepropulsion control signal from the mobility controller to alter rotationof each of wheels in the set of wheels.
 23. The modular mobility base ofclaim 2, wherein the propulsion system comprises a set of motorsintegrated with respective wheels in the set of wheels, the set ofmotors integrated with wheels being responsive to the propulsion controlsignal from the mobility controller to alter rotation of each of wheelsin the set of wheels.
 24. The modular mobility base of claim 1, whereindifferent ones of the sensors are operative to detect a tiltcharacteristic of the mobile base platform, to detect an environmentalcharacteristic next to the mobile base platform, and to detect aproximity characteristic about what is next to the mobile base platform.25. The modular mobility base of claim 1, wherein at least one of thesensors being a proximity sensor operative to autonomously detect anobject in a movement path of the modular mobility base and provideproximity sensor data to the mobility controller on the detected objectas the feedback sensor data.
 26. The modular mobility base of claim 25,wherein mobility controller is operative to receive the feedback sensordata from at least the proximity sensor and responsively generate achange to at least one of the propulsion control signal and the steeringcontrol signal.
 27. The modular mobility base of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one light disposed on the mobile base platform,wherein the at least one light being focused external to the mobile baseplatform.
 28. The modular mobility base of claim 27, wherein the atleast one light comprises a multi-spectral light providingmulti-spectral visibility to facilitate sensor detection by at least oneof the sensors.
 29. The modular mobility base of claim 1 furthercomprising a wireless transceiver operatively coupled to the mobilitycontroller, the wireless transceiver providing a bi-directional wirelessdata path between the mobility controller and at least the anothermodular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus.
 30. Themodular mobility base of claim 1 further comprising a wirelesstransceiver operatively coupled to the mobility controller, the wirelesstransceiver providing a bi-directional wireless data path between themobility controller and an external wireless node disposed external tothe modular autonomous bot apparatus.
 31. The modular mobility base ofclaim 17 further comprising a wireless transceiver operatively coupledto the mobility controller, the wireless transceiver providing abi-directional wireless data path for the mobility controller and atleast the another modular component of the modular autonomous botapparatus.
 32. The modular mobility base of claim 29, wherein thewireless transceiver providing the bi-directional wireless data pathbetween the mobility controller and the another modular component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus to enable remote wireless control ofthe modular mobility base by the another modular component of themodular autonomous bot apparatus.
 33. The modular mobility base of claim30, wherein the wireless transceiver providing the bi-directionalwireless data path between the mobility controller and the externalwireless node disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatusto enable remote wireless control of the modular mobility base by theexternal wireless node.
 34. A modular mobility base for a modularautonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped, themodular mobility base comprising: a selectively adjustable mobile baseplatform comprising a support base having a top support surface, aplurality of peripheral edges on the support base, a wheelbase frame, aset of motorized wheels coupled to the wheelbase frame, the motorizedset of wheels operating as a propulsion system for the modular mobilitybase, a selectively adjustable suspension system coupling the wheelbaseframe to the support base, the selectively adjustable suspension systemactivating to change an oriented configuration of the support baserelative to the wheelbase frame from a first orientation state to asecond orientation state in response to a support base orientationcontrol signal from the mobility controller; a modular componentalignment interface disposed on the selectively adjustable mobile baseplatform, the modular alignment interface comprising at least onealignment channel into which another modular component of the modularautonomous bot apparatus can be placed and secured on the selectivelyadjustable mobile base platform; a coupling receiver disposed on the topsupport surface of the selectively adjustable mobile base platform, thecoupling receiver providing a secure interlocking receiving latchelement for a mated interlocking coupling latch element on the anothermodular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus, wherein thesecure interlocking receiving latch element being operative totemporarily attach to the mated interlocking coupling latch element onthe another modular component of the modular autonomous bot apparatus; amobility controller disposed as part of the selectively adjustablemobile base platform, the mobility controller being operative togenerate a propulsion control signal for controlling speed of themodular mobility base and a steering control signal for controllingnavigation of the modular mobility base; a plurality of sensors coupledto the mobility controller, wherein each of the sensors being disposedon the selectively adjustable mobile base platform, wherein the sensorsbeing operative to autonomously generate and provide feedback sensordata to the mobility controller about a condition of the modularmobility base; and a steering system connected to the selectivelyadjustable mobile base platform and coupled to the propulsion system,the steering system being responsive to the steering control signal fromthe mobility controller and operative to cause changes to directionalmovement of the modular mobility base; and wherein the set of motorizedwheels is responsive to the propulsion control signal from the mobilitycontroller and operative to cause changes to the speed of the modularmobility base.